By Bala Ibrahim
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the final result of the Kano gubernatorial election, 2023, wherein, it gave victory to the candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, Abba Kabiru Yusuf. This may not be in line with the wish and aspiration of some of us, yours truly inclusive. But that is the beauty of democracy, as it permits the majority to have their way, while the minority have their say.
From the verdict, it means those of us against Abba’s ambition are now in the minority. If indeed we are democrats, and believe in that system of governing, that depends on the will of the people, then we must comply with the wish of the majority, totally and completely. Anything to the contrary would be subversive, and capable of inviting anarchy. May God forbid.
Reports have it that tension is high in Kano, as a result of which the government has announced the imposition of a dusk to dawn curfew with immediate effect. If the aim is to arrest the likelihood of some unhappy players taking the law into their hands, by engaging in rampage, this is good and can be applauded. But if there is an ulterior motive, then it is unsportsmanlike. In every election there must be a loser after the emergence of a winner. Everyone, regardless of where he or she stands, must accept the outcome of the election, and be assertive in accepting in this case Abba, as the winner and incoming governor of our state, Kano state.
Where the losers have genuine grounds of any electoral malpractice, there are enough provisions in the law for them to seek redress, and no one would fault them for exploring such options in court, but not through the use of the cutlass.
The challenge before the opposition is to know that Kano state belongs to all of us. They need to think with the interest of the state in their hearts and act like patriotic citizens, who should put the state before self. The most important task is to team up and put Abba under pressure, to fulfil the promises he made to the people. Whether you are for, or against Abba, as long as you are for Kano, your mission should be pro-peace and pro-Kano. Hence, the assertiveness of accepting Abba as the incoming governor of Kano state, must not be overemphasized.
To Abba, I say congratulations and keep your ears widely opened, for the constant criticisms that would be coming from us. I hope, the criticisms would always be constructive.
