In Kano, security services have pledged to prevent the collapse of law and order as tensions rise ahead of the Supreme Court’s decision in today’s final verdict of Kano State gubernatorial election.
Abba Yusuf, the governor of Kano State and the New Nigeria People’s Party candidate, is attempting to overturn the Court of Appeal’s and the Election Petition Tribunal’s rulings, which he claims invalidated his win in the governorship race on March 18.
The All Progressives Congress candidate, Nasir Gawuna, was proclaimed the poll winner by the two lower courts.
Reliable news sources state that after Yusuf’s dismissal from the Court of Appeal, there were discrepancies in the certified true copy of the ruling, which led to tension and protests in Kano.
Residents of the state, as well as members of the opposition APC and the ruling NNPP, are currently experiencing anxiety and tension due to the Supreme Court’s decision to rule on the appeal on Friday.
Our correspondent in Kano reported that residents of Kano, as well as supporters of both parties, were fearful of today’s verdict and that many of them were acting frantically in preparation for the unexpected outcome.
Many parents decided that they would not allow their children to go to school today (Friday) for fear of the unknown, even as businesses, markets and shopping malls may not open.
Some locals have also stated that they plan to stay inside their homes and watch how people respond to the verdict from there.
Hashimu Dungurawa, the state chairman of the NNPP, told The PUNCH that the party was anticipating a favorable ruling.
Speaking in a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Thursday, Hashimu said, “We’re very happy to have the day of the judgment coming tomorrow morning (today). On our side, we the NNPP, are of full confidence that justice will be done tomorrow (today).
“Our case will be similar to that of the President and that of Benue. The judgment came in their favour, so we hope something like that will happen to our case tomorrow (today), God willing.”
Allaying fear of violence, he said, “We Kwankwasiya people are law-abiding citizens,” noting that their members were ready to allow peace to reign.
The APC Publicity Secretary, Ahmed Aruwa, could not be reached for comments as his line was not connecting.
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Meanwhile, the Kano State Police Command assured residents of the state of their safety before, during and after today’s judgment.
The state Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, gave the assurance at an interactive session with newsmen at the Command’s Headquarters at Bompai in Kano on Thursday.
According to him, the command has taken adequate security measures that would enable residents of the state to go about their legitimate businesses without threat to lives and property.
Gumel said an effective operational order on how to provide security in each of the 44 local government areas in the state had been issued to the area commanders and divisional police officers for immediate implementation.
“We have mobilised sufficient armed personnel to provide security at all flash points, including political parties offices, Government House, INEC headquarters, Banks/Commercial Areas, mosques, churches, recreation centres and motor parks before, during and after the judgment.
“I am giving 100 per cent assurance to all law-abiding residents of the state to go about freely with their daily activities without threat to lives and property,” Gumel said.
He, therefore, called on all residents of the state to continue to cooperate with the armed security personnel and to share actionable intelligence information on any person or group planning to breach the peace currently being enjoyed by the residents.
On his part, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Kano, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the NSCDC had met with the military, police and other security agencies in the state to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
“The state commandant on Thursday attended a meeting with all the security agencies in the state – the police, the military and all the paramilitary agencies in the state. They met at the police headquarters in Kano.
Crucial issues were discussed as to the modalities and strategies to be put in place to avert any potential breakdown of law and order in the state. We have our personnel on the ground and the state commandant has charged them to do all they can to make sure that they maintain peace and order in the state,” Abdullahi said.
