Appeal Court judgment: Dr Ganduje Reacts, Says ‘This is Victory for Democracy’

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices today Friday in Abuja nullified the election of Governor Yusuf.

Spark News recalls that the Kano State Election Petition Tribunal had on September 20, sacked governor Yusuf of the NNPP, from office and declared Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressive Congress, APC, as the valid winner of the governorship poll held in the state on March 18.

Reacting to the victory at the appellate court in a chat with newsmen in his Abuja residence, Dr. Ganduje said the reaffirmation of Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna as the winner of the Kano State March 18 Governorship election is no doubt a victory for the government of the people by the people and for the people. 

“I thank Allah for this important judgement. We have to thank the judiciary for providing good administration of justice despite all the distractions that took place since the beginning of the case.

“There is no doubt this is a victory for democracy. It is a victory for APC and a victory for Kano state.

“This is an indication that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria. Democracy we can say is matured in Nigeria”, he said.

The former governor extended a hand of fellowship to the opposition parties, thanking them for being part of the democratic processes in Nigeria.

“We have to thank all those stakeholders, even the political parties, even the NNPP that took us to the Appeal Court, because they are part of the process of democracy.  

“There is no doubt that after the election you get into litigation. And the end result is always determined by the judiciary.  

“For Kano State, this victory is for all of us. We are fully aware, we know what happens during the election. A lot of malpractices and we took the issue to the tribunal. And by the grace of God we got a fair judgement in favour of our great party, APC. 

“Now, the government in power, the NNPP decided to go to the Court of Appeal and this morning, the court of appeal affirmed the judgement of the lower court.  And by so doing, our gubernatorial candidate Dr. Nasiru Gawuna is the duly elected Governor of Kano State.

“But in all, probably they will go to the Supreme Court which is part of democracy. There is nothing wrong for them to go to the Supreme Court. We too, we are ready to meet them in the Supreme Court. And Inshallahu,  we will win in the Supreme Court as well”, he said.

The National Chairman assured the people of Kano State that good administration that was provided in his eight years of administration, the Governor-elect, Nasiru Gawuna will provide a similar and even better one. 

Also reacting, Dr Nasiru Gawuna said he feels happy about the judgement of the appellate court. 

He however noted that what is paramount in his heart is to reciprocate the confidence that the people of Kano state reposed in him.

“I am so happy yet I am still deep in my thoughts because I have to sit down and think very well, because of the confidence and expectations of the people on us, Inshallahu we’re praying that we’ll not fail our people”, he said.