Tension in Kano as Supreme Court decides Yusuf's appeal today

Security agents in Kano have vowed to prevent a breakdown of law and order as tensions rise ahead of today’s Supreme Court ruling on the Kano State governorship election.

Abba Yusuf, the Kano State Governor and New Nigeria People’s Party candidate, is attempting to overturn the Court of Appeal and electoral petitions tribunal rulings that voided his victory in the March 18 governorship election.

The two lower courts found Nasir Gawuna, the All Progressives Congress candidate, to be the winner of the poll.

Chronicle NG reports that the judgment of the Court of Appeal sacking Yusuf created tension and provoked protests in Kano, following reported discrepancies in the certified true copy of the judgment, which the court later said was a clerical error.

The Supreme Court has set Friday as the date for delivering the decision in the appeal, causing stress and worry among supporters of the ruling NNPP, those of the opposition APC, and state citizens alike.

Our correspondent in Kano reported that followers of both parties, as well as ordinary Kano residents, were concerned about today’s verdict, with many taking panic measures in preparation of the unknown outcome.

Many parents decided not to send their children to school today (Friday) out of fear of the unknown, despite the fact that shops, marketplaces, and shopping malls may remain closed.

Some locals have also stated their desire to stay indoors and monitor people’s reactions to the judgment from their separate homes.

The NNPP’s chairman in the state, Hashimu Dungurawa, told reporters that the party expected a victory.

Speaking in a telephone interview with reporters on Thursday, Hashimu said, “We’re very happy to have the day of the judgment coming tomorrow morning.”On our side, we, the NNPP, have full confidence that justice will be done tomorrow.

“Our case will be similar to that of the President and that of Benue. The judgment came in their favor, so we hope something like that will happen to our case tomorrow (today), God willing.”

To allay fears of violence, he stated, “We Kwankwasiya people are law-abiding citizens,” adding that their members were willing to allow peace to rule.

Ahmed Aruwa, the APC publicity secretary, could not be reached for comment since his phone line did not connect.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Police Command assured people of their safety before, during, and following today’s decision.

Usaini Gumel, the state commissioner of police, offered the assurance during an interactive session with journalists at the command’s headquarters in Bompai, Kano, on Thursday.

According to him, the command has implemented necessary security measures to allow state residents to conduct lawful business without fear of losing their lives or property.

Gumel stated that area commanders and divisional police officers had received an effective operational order outlining how to provide security in each of the state’s 44 local government areas for immediate implementation.

“We have mobilized sufficient armed personnel to provide security at all flash points, including political party offices, government houses, INEC headquarters, banks and commercial areas, mosques, churches, recreation centers, and motor parks, before, during, and after the judgment.

“I am giving 100 percent assurance to all law-abiding residents of the state to go about freely with their daily activities without threat to lives and property,” Gumel said.

As a result, he urged all state citizens to continue cooperating with armed security forces and to offer actionable intelligence information on any person or group attempting to disrupt the existing state of tranquility.

Ibrahim Abdullahi, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Kano, stated that the NSCDC had met with the military, police, and other security agencies in the state to prevent a breakdown in law and order.

“The state commandant today (Thursday) attended a meeting with all the security agencies in the state—the police, the military, and all the paramilitary agencies in the state.

“They met at the police headquarters in Kano. Crucial issues were discussed as to the modalities and strategies to be put in place to avert any potential breakdown of law and order in the state.

“We have our personnel on the ground, and the state commandant has charged them to do all they can to make sure that they maintain peace and order in the state,” Abdullahi said.