APC Coalition Criticizes NNPP for London Protest Regarding Kano State Election Tribunal Ruling
Abuja, October 2: The National Coalition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed strong disapproval towards the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for organizing an 8-person protest in London on October 1. The protest was aimed against the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s recent judgement.
The Tribunal’s judgement ousted Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the NNPP from office due to verified irregularities. Investigations revealed that more than 165,000 votes were illicitly stamped and added to the ballot boxes, lacking the essential endorsement of the respective presiding officers. This critical decision by the tribunal reversed Yusuf’s earlier triumph in the March 2023 governorship polls, establishing Nasir Gawuna of APC as the rightful election winner.
The APC Coalition has labeled the London demonstration as a disgraceful act with an intent to tarnish the image of the judiciary, the federal government, and, notably, the APC.
While addressing the press in Abuja on October 2, Isabella Odunayo, the national secretary of the coalition, rebuked the NNPP for its fervent attempts to manipulate facts. Odunayo emphasized how NNPP is trying to malign the image of the judiciary, the federal government, and the APC through deceit.
According to the coalition, post the tribunal’s decision, there have been consistent attempts by the NNPP-led Kano State Government to defame not only the judiciary and federal government but also the APC.
One such effort to undermine the tribunal’s decision took the NNPP to London. The party is alleged to have sponsored a protest, aiming to discredit the tribunal ruling and the federal government on foreign soil. Contrary to their objectives, Nigerians residing abroad were already aware of the APC’s triumph, leading to their general disregard for the sponsored protest.
Highlighting the lack of support for the NNPP, Odunayo pointed out, “It’s disheartening that Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Kwankwasiyya Movement managed to gather only eight individuals for a demonstration initially intended for a thousand participants. This evidently shows that Nigerians, whether in the country or abroad, have embraced the tribunal’s judgement wholeheartedly.”
The coalition firmly cautioned the NNPP leadership, emphasizing that the judiciary remains undeterred by threats. They stressed the preparedness of Nigerian security agencies to maintain national stability.
Speaking on the London protesters, the coalition stated, “The eight individuals led by Dr. Aminu Bello in London neither mirror the sentiments nor the interests of the greater Nigerian populace.”
Odunayo further criticized the NNPP’s approach, stating, “It’s antiquated and inappropriate for the NNPP to seek justice in distant London when the tribunal in Nigeria has already delivered a fair verdict.”
The coalition chastised Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf for his continued smear campaigns against the judiciary. In light of these events, there’s a growing call within the APC for the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Service to initiate a thorough investigation into the activities of the departing Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the NNPP’s top brass.
Concluding the address, the coalition expressed hope that such decisive actions might deter politicians from resorting to electoral malpractices and promoting violence in future elections.
