Update Post: November 28, 2023 10:35 pm
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Given the Kano state governorship tribunal judgement Wednesday which ruled in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has alerted the media to save the country’s democratic governance.
The governorship candidate of NNPP, Dr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, was declared winner of the governorship election in March this year.
However, the election petition tribunal in its ruling on Wednesday gave the victory to the APC governorship candidate.
But briefing journalists on Thursday, the NNPP Acting Deputy National Chairman, Prince Nwaeze Onu said, “We at NNPP consider you media practitioners as partners in the efforts to enthrone an enduring democracy in our dear country.
“It is now very clear that our democracy is under serious threat, and there is the need for urgent concerted effort to save it from total annihilation.
“Without being immodest, our party can pride itself as a party that is not desperate for power. That is why in spite of the shortcomings of the last general elections, especially, with regard to the disenfranchisement of millions of our voters across the country, we decided not to approach the tribunal, in view of the tense situation in the country then. Instead, we decided to focus on building our party for future electoral engagements, hoping the future is bright for the growth of democracy in Nigeria.
“Unfortunately, the judgement by the Kano State Election Petition Tribunal on the March 18, 2023, Governorship election is capable of eroding whatever confidence one has in the judiciary of this great country. The reported judgement nullified the free, credible and globally acclaimed fair election of our Governorship Candidate, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf and brazenly awarded the election to the APC candidate, Nasiru
Gawuna.
“The tribunal arrived at this unjust judgement by unfairly subtracting 165,663 votes from the Governor’s tally in order to enable it unfairly award the election result to the candidate of the ruling APC. In doing so the Tribunal obviously affirms its belief that the vote tally of the APC Candidate was sacrosanct. The Supreme Court in many cases has stated its position on this matter in earlier judgements.
“For the sake of emphasis, the NNPP presidential candidate, His Excellency Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, defeated the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a wide margin. In the same vein, NNPP won two Senatorial seats as against APC’s one seat.”