*Cautions against tempering the victory of Gov Abba Yusuf
*Kano Govt assures support for Human Rights in the state
Jude Johnson
Election Observers under the auspices of Coalition of INEC-accredited observer organizations (foreign and domestic) who worked in Kano during the March 18th election has cautioned against tempering the victory of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, Director General, Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness during a press conference in Abuja on Monday said, 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.
According to him, the 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.
He added that the nullification of over one hundred and sixty-five thousand valid votes, which was an integral part of the power exercised by the electorates as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended, has never been seen before in the history of Nigeria, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel said.
The coalition without mincing words said, “We wish to state unequivocally that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declaration of All. Abba Kabir Yusuf as the winner of Kano 2023 governorship election is consistent and synonymous to their observation and a true representation of votes cast on the 18thofMarch 2023.
“We wish to advise the political elites in Kano State and Nigeria at large 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, he added.
Notable personalities present during the conference 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.
In a related development, Kano state Government has assured support towards the upliftment of human rights activities in the state. This was disclosed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Kano State, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi while representing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the opening ceremony of Forth Cycle of the United Nations UPR Engagement with Stakeholders, organized by Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano.
This was made available to Global Sentinel on Monday by the Director Public Enlightenment, Kano State Government, Mr. Aliyu Yusuf, stating that Kano been a state that respect Human Rights, the government will continue to remain resolute in facilitating the support for any move that will enhance the reforms and implementation of human rights activities.
The Commissioner therefore, expressed delight to the organizers of the UPR Stakeholders engagement workshop for selecting Kano to be the venue of the event.
To the participants that come from across other states of the federation, he urged them to utilized what they will learn from the workshop so that it will be of benefit not only to their states but to the country at large.
Earlier, the representative of the Solicitor General of the Federation at the workshop, Bar. Princess Chikwuani said the objectives of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is to review the fulfillment of the human rights and commitments and obligations of all UN member states as contained in the UN charter.
Barr. Chikwuani added that the aim of the Stakeholders Engagement is to collect and collate information on the human rights situation in Nigeria for the Forth Cycle Review.