Stay clear of Kano politics, Gov Yusuf urges FG, Judiciary

Wants APC to accept defeat at council poll
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has appealed to Federal government to stay clear of politics and interference in the affairs of Kano state in the interest of the spirit of separation of power and spirit of democracy.

The Governor also urged the Judiciary to constantly dispense Justice and equity in all sundry matters before them while distancing themselves from partisanship in Kano electoral processes.

Yusuf made the appeal recently while addressing election observers shortly after casting ballot at his Chiranci Ward in Gwale local council of the state. The Governor who extolled the role of the Nigerian Judiciary in entrenching the rule of law, however, expressed concern on how Federal High Court sitting in the state is being used to subvert the will of people.

“We have respect for the Nigerian Judiciary because they are the last hope of the common man. But when the Judiciary now submitted itself to be used and becomes partisan, there will not be peace in the land. I want to urged the Judiciary not to be used to subvert public interest in Kano.

“Let me emphasise again here that we would not be subjected to any intimidation from the Judiciary and from any quarter. We are peaceful and peace loving people in Kano. But we would not be allowed to be pushed to the wall,” Yusuf added.

Earlier, the Chairman of Association of State Independent Electoral Commission in Nigeria, who doubles as Chairman of Sokoto State Independent Electoral Commission, Alh. Aliyu Suleiman expressed satisfaction on the conduct of the council poll. Alh. Suleiman said the conduct as observed was peaceful with massive turn out of electorate who were all out to exercise their franchise.

Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf challenged the opposition All Progressives Congress APC to concede defeat in the just concluded council election in Kano and embrace peace. He described the conduct of the election as freest process in history of election in the country.

APC had earlier on Friday announced their withdrawal from the council election, citing the Judgment of Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High court as justification for its decision. They were however silent over the subsequent ruling of Justice Sanusi Ma’aji of the State High Court, which upheld the constitutional and electoral powers of the electoral body to proceed with the council poll as scheduled.

Gov Yusuf, who stressed that APC would have tested it’s strength and credibility while taking part in the conduct of the election, instead of embarking on litigation to scuttle the peaceful process, further expressed dismay why the opposition party would neglect the democratic process, only to prefer unlawful route to deny Kano residents of sources of income in the name of politics.

He however appealed to APC to consider the path of peace, growth and development of Kano and accept defeat in good fate.

” I want to appeal to APC to rather accept defeat instead of going to Court. It is rather unfortunate that APC was actually not willing to participate in the council election. Taking part in the election would have been better to test their popularity.

” It is even more worrisome that while they were not willing to take part in the election, they resorted to going to court to stop the will of the people. I urged them to accept defeat and join the progressives in the interest of peace and development of Kano”. Yusuf added.

The governor had earlier appealed to the Federal Government and the Judiciary to pave ways for the survival of democratic process in Kano rather than embarking on actions to subvert the will of the people in the state.

“Nigeria belong to everybody regardless of political influence,” he noted, adding “attempt to scuttle public good for selfish and political interest should be avoided.”