The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate in Kano, Engr Kabir Abba Yusuf, has attacked Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for his “reckless” statements on the outcome of the supplementary election in the state.
Ganduje recently told Aso Villa State House reporters that he was not going to lose any sleep over the Abba Yusuf’s decision to challenge his victory at the Election Petition Tribunal.
Abba Yusuf, who is son-in-law to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said it was absurd for Ganduje to celebrate victory over last month’s governorship election in Kano when alleged rigging, thuggery, and violence marred the process.
A statement signed by Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, spokesman to Abba Yusuf, said, “For Ganduje to celebrate what happened on 23rd of March, 2019 as legitimate election, his conscience must have been on vacation.
“It is our prayer that he regains it to be able to send apologies to the good people of Kano State on his malicious actions that put the state into anarchy through crass impunity.
“It was glaring to the local and foreign media, domestic and international observers and the general public how Kano was placed under siege by hired thugs imported from neighboring state of Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau, Bauchi and the Niger Republic by Gov. Ganduje and his cohorts, but he (Ganduje) shamelessly told the world that the election was free and fair bragging that people should ask the so-called DIG Anthony Michael and Residence Electoral Commissioner Professor??? Risqua Shehu Arabi.
“It was clear that voters were disenfranchised, sensitive materials were hijacked by APC stalwarts who were seen stuffing ballots boxes with already thumb printed ballot papers in favour of the ruling APC. Results were fabricated with the full support of the INEC officials. Upon all the unfortunate trend of events that took place during the re-run, INEC went ahead to unlawfully declare the result in favour of Ganduje which throws the people of Kano into a state of mourning for weeks.
“The election was characterized by open vote buying, voter intimidation, harassment and flagrant abuse of human rights, killing and maiming of innocent citizens by the thugs in connivance security agents. The state witnessed a massive violence ever, after the so called election, hoodlums went on rampage attacking unsuspecting members of the society, and thugs were seen in the Kano Government House brandishing dangerous weapons, removing historic pictures and symbols in the name of celebration.
“It is evident that INEC in Kano and the security apparatus have been compromised through inducement by the Ganduje’s administration. We have seen reports exposing speedy land allocation to some INEC officials. To a significant extent, Ganduje influences the major decisions of the electoral body (INEC) in Kano.
“We are absolutely sure Ganduje and his cronies who perpetrated the March 23rd thuggery could not sleep with their two eyes open, you cannot instigate bloodshed of innocent citizens and expect peace of mind, he said there was no life lost, while we have genuine evidence of people who were killed such as Hon. Tukur Muhammad Dala of Gobirawa quarters in Dala Local Government, Abubakar Sule Filatan in Rogo Local Government, Muhammad Mustapha of Gandun Albasa to mention but few. Scores were terribly injured, some of the victims alive are ready to testify before the election petition tribunal, they are members of Kwankwasiyya movement and the only sin they committed was trying to perform their civic right either as voters or party agents.
“We are baffled, trying to recall which celebration Ganduje is referring to in his interview, is he referring to the huge amount of money his government spent on hiring DJs to amplify the celebration of his purported victory?. To us democracy is massacred during the so-called Kano supplementary election, there was no election conducted, it was nothing but a sham which led to snatching the people’s mandate in a broad daylight.
“Let me remind Gov. Ganduje and his cohorts that sooner or later, they will appear before our creator (the almighty Allah) to account for their misdeeds at a time when they have no defense, no incumbency, no dollars or naira to induce anyone.
“Out of desperation and high degree of impunity, Ganduje relocated to Gama ward in Nassarawa Local Government to steer the tactics of election rigging and was sighted trying to deceive the people with projects executed in a window dressing approach.
“We are heading to Election Petition with full believe in Allah’s will, we are determined that the stolen mandate would be retrieved and we shall run the affairs of Kano state with utmost fairness, prudence, accountability and allow participation of the citizenry. We are also very optimistic that the tribunal will remain impartial so as to restore the confidence of Nigerians on the Judiciary.”
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