Kano calm after Supreme Court verdict

NNPP Supporters Celebrate As APC Sues For Peace
Thousands of residents and loyalists of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) yesterday took to major roads in Kano metropolis in celebration of the victory of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the Supreme Court.

The jubilant youths in their thousands were seen at the popular Clud road leading to the residence of the Kwankwasiyya leader and presidential candidate of NNPP, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to celebrate the victory.

Similarly, major roads were dominated by red cap wearers who were in joyous moods. Some of them gathered at various locations dancing to various music to mark the affirmation of Yusuf as duly elected governor by the Supreme Court.

Also in the mood of celebration, tricycle riders and motorcyclists were seen performing various forms of stunts while some embarked on dangerous speeding on the roads.

Meanwhile, the tense atmosphere witnessed in the ancient city 24 hours before the judgment of the Supreme Court suddenly disappeared as the youth took over the entire roads, amid heavily armed security men strategically stationed to forestall crisis.

The police command had warned against possible breakdown of law and order in the name of celebration and or protest in the aftermath of the much awaited judgment.

Reacting, Governor Yusuf, who was at the Supreme Court in Abuja to witness the judgment that upturned the concurrent verdicts of the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and Appeal Court that declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yusuf Gawuna, as winner of the Kano election, took to his verified X handle to express appreciation to God.

He said: “Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah. – AKY”, which  in English mean “I thank God, I thank God.”

A civil society activist in the state, Ibrahim Waiya, applauded the outcome of the court, which he said has redeemed the battered image of the judiciary.

“The Supreme Court judgment is a welcome development because it has finally affirmed the mandate of Kano people and really helped to justify that the Federal government under President Ahmed Bola Tinunu believes in the ingredients of democracy.

“Democracy is about the people and it is people that determine the outcome of elections. The development has further reinstated the position of the judiciary as the last hope of a common man. The Supreme Court judgment has been able to redeem the dented image of the judiciary considering what has happened prior to the judgment. You can see that the atmosphere is calm in Kano and people are going about their normal businesses because justice has been served,” Waiya said.

Meanwhile, the state branch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged members of the party to remain calm and accept the verdict of the Supreme Court in good faith.

Speaking with The Guardian, the state secretary of the APC, Alhaji Ibrahim Zakari Sarina, said that power belongs to God who dispenses it to whomever he prefers at any point in time.

“We have accepted the decision of the Supreme Court in good faith because it is the court of final decision, meaning there is no room for appeal. However, we believe power is given by God and God decides who he gives and when to give. We have accepted the outcome of the final court as how God wants it because we are men and women of faith.

“I, on behalf of the APC, will advise party members and loyalists to remain calm and accept the judgment as an act of God. People should not resort to protests or take laws into their hands,” Sarina cautioned.