.Protesters dare police, occupy state road
Kano State governorship election petition tribunal, yesterday, reserved judgment on the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the victory of Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
The three-man panel presided over by Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay made the declaration after the parties submitted and adopted their final written addresses.
Although, the tribunal was not specific on the date of judgment, Justice Akintan-Osadebay pledged to do justice and be fair to all parties in line with the provisions of the law, while adhering to the 180 days within which election judgment should be delivered.
Adopting his final address, counsel to the petitioner, Chief Offiong Offiong (SAN), urged the tribunal to disqualify the NNPP gubernatorial candidate for not qualifying to contest because his name was not on the membership list of NNPP forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the election.
The petitioner said the NNPP candidate was not a full and registered member of NNPP before the election; hence, his victory remains null and void. APC equally asked the tribunal to declare its candidate winner, having scored highest votes or, in the alternative, declare the gubernatorial election inconclusive because the margin of lead was not more than the votes cancelled.
Counsel to Governor Yusuf, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, asked the tribunal to dismiss the petition of APC for lacking in merit. In a seven-volume reply against the APC petition, the senior advocate insisted the petition challenging INEC’s declaration of Yusuf as governor as dead on arrival.
The tribunal has till September 15, 2023 to deliver judgment.
DESPITE police warning against street protest in Kano, thousands of angry youths, yesterday, took over the popular state road to vent anger on recent development at the tribunal.
The state police command had, yesterday, declared total restriction on all street protests and demonstration planned by both APC and NNPP supporters.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner of Police, Mohammad Gumel, the police vowed to resist any attempt by any group(s) to foment trouble in the state, insisting that violation would be considered uncivil, criminal and offence against national security, and as such would be treated in accordance with the law.
But against the instruction, the protesters led by a social activist, Ibrahim Waiya, began their possession as early as 9.00 a.m. from Gidan Murtala Mohammad on BUK Road and marched through state road and terminated at Government House, where they were received by Governor Yusuf.
Waiya told the governor that the protest was caused by the attempted corrupt practice at the election tribunal.
Her expressed worry over the alarm raised by Justice Flora Azinge on N10 million bribe offered to one of her staff, and condemned the action.
Responding, Governor Yusuf applauded the protesters for standing by the truth and upholding the sanctity of the judiciary. He pledged commitment to peaceful atmosphere as the tribunal delivers judgment.
Although, the governor expressed confidence in the tribunal, he urged the Federal Government to ensure those attempting to corrupt the tribunal were brought to book.
