By Aliyu Dangida
Residents of Kano State have reacted ahead of the Supreme Court hearing of the appeal filed by Governor Abba Yusuf challenging his removal by the Court of Appeal.
Daily News 24 reports that the Court of Appeal has removed Governor Yusuf and declared Nasiru Gawuna the winner of the March 18 governorship election.
One of the residents, Tijjani Kibiya, who spoke to our reporter on State Road, said they are ready to accept the Supreme Court verdict.
He said, “I want the court to do justice, and not only Kano residents but everybody in Nigeria knows that Abba Gida Gida won the election. One said that there was a false whistle, and one said that Abba is not a member of the party.
“Is it not the court’s job to say who belongs to the party or not? What we all wish for is Allah’s assistance and justice, and to destroy oppression and oppressors. No matter what the court says, we will take it.
No matter what the court says, we will accept it as our fate. You can take the governor’s seat, but you will not enjoy it because of oppression. We are ready to accept the court’s judgement whenever it is announced.” He added.
Another resident, Umar Saleh said: “What I have to say on the court hearing is may Allah see us through and choose the right person among them.
We urge the government to remember that there is Allah and say the truth. Don’t look at the party or the person. What we need is to look at the truth, and everyone who has rights should be given their rights. As citizens of Kano State, we are not looking for controversy.”
In a different reaction, an APC Chieftain in Kano State, Abbas Bayero, noted that their party had submitted evidence and the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP) ‘failed to do so’ that led to their victory both in the Tribunal and Court of Appeal.
“The law requires evidence, and if you look at it, you will see that we, the APC party, have submitted evidence since the day the case was filed, so the NNPP party failed to satisfy the court on the evidence we have that leads to our victory. We don’t have any panic or fear in this matter; victory is ours.” He said.
The Supreme Court had fixed Thursday, December 21, 2023, for hearing the appeals filed by Governor Abba Yusuf challenging his removal.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had sacked Mr. Yusuf, upholding the decision of the lower election petition tribunal that earlier nullified his election.
A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal led by Moore Adumein, in a unanimous judgement, declared Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner.
