Tight security as tribunal sacks Kano governor
The police said they are heightening security in Kano state following the election tribunal’s sacking of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Yusuf of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) the winner of the March 2023 governorship poll. His main challenger, the All Progressives Congress’ Nasir Gawuna however decided to challenge the outcome.
Ruling on Gawuna’s petition on Wednesday, Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay leading two other judges invalidated whopping 165,663 votes returned for Yusuf in the poll. The vote cancellation saw Yusuf, who supposedly defeated Gawuna with 128,897 votes during the poll, eventually losing.
Kano State is prone to political volatility, as seen after INEC declared Yusuf the winner. His supporters had gone on rampage, attacking their opponents and destroying properties.
This, the police said they would prevent as a curfew had been declared on the state.
Mohammed Gumel, the state Commissioner of Police, said the curfew would be in force between 6 pm on Wednesday and 6 pm on Thursday.
He said, “In view of the constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force alongside the relevant internal security and law enforcement agencies to preserve law and order in the state, the Kano State Police Command has mapped out strategies in that direction and called on the good people of the state to give the necessary confidence and support.
“Going forward, Kano State residents are called upon to note that combined security forces have already been dispatched to the nooks and crannies including the entry and exits of the state to ensure enforcement and strict compliance of the curfew.” He added the police would arrest and prosecute violators.
