Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate who was declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election in Kano State by court, has expressed his confidence regarding the potential appeal challenging his victory.
The Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday (yesterday), ruled to sack Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, affirming the APC as the victor of the election.
In its decision, the three-member tribunal ordered the withdrawal of the certificate of return previously presented to Governor Yusuf and directed the issuance of a certificate of return to Gawuna.
The tribunal’s decision included the deduction of 165,663 votes from Governor Yusuf’s total, categorizing them as invalid votes due to the absence of proper stamps or signatures on the corresponding ballot papers.
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However, Governor Yusuf said the tribunal’s ruling is erred, affirming that he will appeal the judgement.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Gawuna said, “I am grateful to Allah for our victory in the Kano State election, which was affirmed by the court today (Wednesday). I thank Him for His will, which chose us to lead. I also thank our lawyers and the general public for their prayers and support.
“In the past, NNPP was initially declared the winner of the election, but I believe that Allah had already decided the outcome. We had the right to challenge the results in court, and we did so. The court’s ruling is also the will of Allah.”
Asked if he is fearful of an appeal, Gawuna said, “Anyone who believes that nothing happens without Allah’s will will never worry or take governance as a do-or-die affair. Whatever happens to us, we believe it is the will of Allah. We are not intimidated or afraid, because we know that whatever happens is for the best. Allah never makes mistakes.”