Get Guardian on GoogleThe ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano has dismissed allegations from the opposition Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) linking Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the removal of her gubernatorial candidate, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, and running mate from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) list.
Apparently responding to agitation in a viral video clip on social where the Vice Presidential candidate of (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, blamed Gov. Yusuf for the hurdle, APC insisted such insinuation is unfounded.
In a release signed by APC Chairman in Kano, Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa urged the opposition party to rather resolve its internal crisis in court than apportion blame.
INEC recently deleted the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, and his running mate Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso from its final list, citing legal intricacies.
However, APC described the allegation as false, baseless, and an attempt by Kwankwaso to blackmail the party and its governorship candidate, insisting that neither the party nor Governor Yusuf has any involvement whatsoever in the legal proceedings surrounding the NDC candidate.
APC Chairman maintained that the case originated from the internal crisis within the NDC, explaining that it was instituted by members of the party against the NDC itself and not by the APC, its governorship candidate or the Kano State Government.
Doguwa stressed that attempts to associate the APC and its candidate Gov. Yusuf with the matter were misleading and intended to shift attention from the internal challenges confronting the NDC.
The ruling party further distanced itself from the legal proceedings, insisting that neither the APC nor its governorship candidate sponsored, influenced, or facilitated the court action against Gwarzo.
Doguwa challenged Kwankwaso to provide credible and verifiable evidence linking the APC or Governor Yusuf to the case instead of making allegations capable of misleading the public and creating unnecessary political tension.
The party emphasised that neither the APC nor its governorship candidate has any interest in the involvement into the electoral process or using state power against political opponents, adding that every eligible candidate has the constitutional right to participate in the 2027 general elections in accordance with the law.
“The judiciary is an independent arm of government and neither the APC nor its governorship candidate has the authority to dictate its proceedings or decisions.
“APC will reaffirm its commitment to democratic principles and welcomed the participation of opposition parties in the electoral process, and we have no reason to plot against any political party or candidate.
” We urged Kwankwaso and other political actors to allow relevant institutions to discharge their constitutional responsibilities without unnecessarily politicising legal matters arising from internal party disputes to serve as an excuse for their eventual failure to lose election in 2027.
” APC calls on the public to disregard attempts to associate the APC and its governorship candidate, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, with the NDC’s internal legal battle. We reiterate that neither the party nor its candidate has any hand, directly or indirectly, in the proceedings or any decision concerning the party’s candidate” Doguwa declared.
