The Coalition of INEC-accredited observer organizations (foreign and domestic) who observed the Kano State Governorship and State Assembly Elections of March 18, 2023, has said that the people of Kano State voted overwhelmingly for the NNPP without fear or favour.
Addressing the media on Monday, September 25, 2023, in Abuja, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, Director General, Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness said that they were dismayed and shocked at the Tribunal’s ruling concerning (i) the disqualification of the Governor of Kano State as a member of the NNPP.
“This matter is well known to all and sundry as a pre-election matter for which the tribunal had no jurisdiction, and besides, because it is a pre-election matter, the matter has been overtaken by events.
“Again, the nullification of over one hundred thousand valid votes, which was an integral part of the power exercised by the electorate as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended, has never been seen before in the history of Nigeria, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel said.
He also stated “We wish to state unequivocally that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as an Electoral Management Body, saddled with the constitutional responsibility of conducting transparent, free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria, declared the NNPP candidate, Abba Kabir Yusuf, winner of the 18th March 2023 Governorship Election in Kano State. This fact is consistent and synonymous with our observations in the field, and it represents the direction of the vote cast on election day.
The group further said, “We wish to advise the political elites in Kano State to shield their swords and allow the people’s votes to count. Kano State is a cosmopolitan city in Nigeria; therefore, igniting issues capable of causing breakdowns of law and order would not be in the interest of the Nigerian nation.
“The present situation in Kano could deteriorate even further if not treated with the utmost caution and urgency. The judiciary is said to be the hope of the common man. We hereby advise that care should be taken in Kano State to resolve the present judicial process with the utmost caution. Let us allow the NNPP, which is the party that truly won the March 18, 2023, governorship election, to serve the people of Kano, the statement said.
Present at the press briefing include Dr. (Mrs.) Eno Udensi, Head of Mission, PAN African Women Project, South Africa; Mr. Tunde Bafunsho, CEO, Justice and Equity Sustenance and Mr. Stafford Bisong, International Leadership Initiative
