Lukman Abdulmalik
Kano residents have reacted to the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal ruling of Wednesday.
Stallion Times reports that in the judgment delivered via Zoom, the three-man panel led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return that it presented to Kano Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and to issue a new certificate of return to Dr. Nair Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a cross-sectional survey, our reporters interviewed residents who shared their different opinions on the tribunal judgment.
Usman Abdullahi, a resident of Kumbotso lamented that: “the judgment is unfair, how will a governor with 128,897 votes fail in the tribunal?
“Governor Abba has started reviving Kano within his 100 days in office, which the APC government has not achieved.
“These judges are unfair on this election judgment.
“As an NNPP supporter, we will appeal the unfair judgment and reclaim our mandate.
Another resident of Yandanko in Kumbotso LGA, Abubakar Adam expressed his satisfaction with the tribunal judgment.
He narrated that: “All I can say as an APC supporter is to thank God for allowing justice to take place.
“Everyone knows that APC won the gubernatorial election in Kano, but the overvoting done by NNPP led their candidate to win the election.
Aminu Suleiman, a mechanic along Airport Road told Stallion Times that he had to close his shop at 4 pm when he saw APC supporters approaching his shop.
Amira Hamza, a passerby in Idin-Kwakwa, Zawachiki, stressed that: “Since the tribunal has delivered its judgment, both parties should accept the verdict; all we need is peace to reign in Kano State.
“I called on our beloved citizens to keep calm and abide by the law, and also refrain from unnecessary jubilation.”
The Curfew
Following the Tribunal judgement, the State Government declared 24 hours curfew to maintain peace.
The State Police Command in a statement signed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, said it has mapped out strategies to enforce the curfew. and warned that violators will be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.
Residents reacted to the 24-hour curfew that started at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday to lasted to 6:00 pm Thursday.
Stallion Times visited some sections of the where residents count losses.
Mr John Owolabi, a resident of Airport Road stated his dissatisfaction with the curfew, saying the curfew has led him to stay home idle.
He said since yesterday, his neighborhood was quiet after the verdict of the court, as he witnessed few vehicular movements around the area.
“Immediately I heard the verdict of the court, I quickly set for home because of the fear of the unknown, I had to even leave my car at the office and used a tricycle to get home as quickly as possible.
“I am home now, and by tomorrow, the curfew should be over and people will be able to move around for their businesses.
“I pity those who make a living on daily proceeds because their means of livelihood has been cut for today.”
He called on residents to be calm and let the intention of the curfew be achieved.
Adam Kabiru, a tricycle rider, said the curfew has restricted his daily earnings.
“I thought the curfew wouldn’t be strict, around 6.00 am on Thursday, I rode my tricycle from Gaida to Sabon Titi. At a checkpoint, the Police arrested me for not complying with the curfew.
“I waited for about an hour before they discharged me with a warning and instruction to ride back home.”
Many tricycles were parked in their various parking lounges, as pedestrians trekked to their destinations.
As of the time of filing this report, our reporters observed that amidst the curfew reactions, the compliance level was appreciable.
