***insists, Appeal Court will rule on merit
National Coalition of All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegis of Progressives Stakeholders has condemned a protest staged in London on Sunday against the Nigerian judiciary, accusing the leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano of blackmail.
The APC group who accused Kano state governor Abba Yusuf and the state leadership of the NNPP of sponsoring the protest, described the London outing as shameful.
Kano State Governorship election petition tribunal judgement had sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the NNPP due to irrigularities where over 165,000 votes were tumprinted and stuffed into the ballot boxes unlawfully without the official stamp nor signature of the presiding officers.
Addressing a press conference Monday in Abuja, the group’s National secretary, Barr. Isabella Odunayo, called on the Inspector General of Police and the department of State Service to commence investigation of the sacked Kano state governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the leadership of the NNPP over the development.
Barrister Odunayo said: “After failed attempts to discredit the tribunal ruling, the NNPP desperation took them to London where it sponsored a protest to blackmail the Federal Government and discredit the tribunal judgement.
“Unknown to the organizers, Nigerians in diaspora had watch clips of the jubilation that trailed the APC victory at the tribunal and hence Nigerians in London ignored the sponsored protest.
“It is shameful that Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Kwankwasiyya Movement only got eight persons for a protest which targeted about one thousand (1000) people, a sign that Nigerians both home and in diaspora accepted the judgement in good faith.
“The NNPP should be aware that, the judiciary can not be intimidated by its threat as security agencies in Nigeria are fully prepared to secure the Country. The eight people led by Dr Aminu Bello who embarrassed themselves yesterday in London does not represent the interest of Nigerians.
“It is barbaric and indeed archaic for the NNPP to toll the part of blackmail calling for justice in far away London when justice has already been served with the judgment of the tribunal.
“It is unpalatable to speak ill of the judiciary because your stealing antics were uncovered. Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf has no shame that is why he is still sponsoring Campaign against the judiciary.
“We advocate special trial for electoral offenders like Governor Abba Yusuf where he will be may be committed to jail for election theft.
“We call on the Inspector General of Police and the department of state service to commence investigation of the out-going Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the leadership of the NNPP ahead of their prosecution.
“It is by such actions that some desperate politicians may desist from rigging and instilling violence during elections.
“We are optimistic that the Apeal Court judges shall also deliver judgement on it merit.”