The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) stated on Thursday, September 21, that despite the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s judgment that sacked the state’s governor, the party’s faith in the judiciary remained unshaken.
At a news conference in Abuja, Prince Nwaeze Onu, the Deputy National Chairman of the party, expressed confidence that the tribunal’s judgment would be overturned by the appellate court.
He advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop trying to reclaim Kano, stating that the NNPP would regain its mandate.
He also added that the APC’s threat to retake Kano by force was only temporary.
A three-man panel of justices’ hand on Wednesday nullified the election of the Governor of Kano state, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf, and declared the APC candidate, Nasiru Gawuna as the duly elected Governor of the state.
While describing the judgement as a clear and deliberate miscarriage of justice, Prince Onu said;
“It is now very clear that our democracy is under serious threat, and there is the need for an urgent concerted effort to save it from total annihilation.”
He said further that the NNPP was a party that is not desperate for power, saying,
“That is why in spite of the shortcomings of the last general elections, especially, with regard to the disenfranchisement of millions of our voters across the country, we decided not to approach the Tribunal, in view of the tense situation in the country then.
“Instead, we decided to focus on building our party for future electoral engagements, hoping the future is bright for the growth of democracy in Nigeria.
“Unfortunately, the judgement by the Kano State Election Petition Tribunal on March 18, 2023, Governorship election is capable of eroding whatever confidence one has in the judiciary of this great country.
“The reported judgement nullified the free, credible and globally acclaimed fair election of our Governorship Candidate, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf and brazenly awarded the election to the APC candidate, Nasiru Gawuna.
“It is we want APC to know that it is not possible to hide behind one finger. Thelr threat to take Kano back by force, like a mirage, has only materialized momentarily. NNPP will get back its mandate freely given by the good people of Kano of State within — the ambit of the law and the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
“We wish to state emphatically that although the judgement was a Clear and deliberate miscarriage of justice and therefore a disappointment, our faith in the judiciary remains unshaken. Every discerning person knows that NNPP won in all the elections in Kano State.
“The APC knew right from the very beginning that it was hugely unpopular In Kano State which led it to declare “total war on the people of the State during the last election.
“The NNPP will appeal this most unfair judgement. We call on our millions of supporters In Kano and in the rest of the country to remain calm, be law-abiding, and maintain the peace. This glaringly lopsided judgement cannot stand the test of natural justice and fair play”.
When asked, he revealed that the party has already appealed the ruling of the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, which removed three of its House of Representatives members.
