Kano PDP Guber Candidate , Abba Yusuf Vows To Retrieve ‘Stolen Mandate’

By Umar Isa

The Kano State Gubernatorial Candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf has expressed surprise over a recent media interview granted by Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on the just concluded supplementary election in the state.

He said that for Ganduje to celebrate what happened on 23rd of March, 2019 as legitimate election, is surprising as the poll was neither free fair nor credible

This was contained in a statement signed by the Spokesperson to Engr. Abba K. Yusuf, the Kano state PDP Governorship Candidate, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa on Wednesday.

Accodring to the statement,’’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  allegedly by Gov. Ganduje and his cohorts.

The statement accused DIG Anthony Michael and Kano Residence Electoral Commissioner Professor Risqua Shehu Arabi.of complicity in the election

It said ,’’ 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. ‘’

Ábba Kabir Yusuf  alleged that 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, ‘’said the statement.

‘’ 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 with 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.’’

The PDP governorship candidate in Lagos said that they are absolutely sure Ganduje and his cronies who perpetrated the March 23rd Thuggery could not sleep with their two eyes open.

It noted that ,’’You cannot instigate bloodshed of innocent citizens and expect peace of mind, as he said the was no life lost, while we have genuine evidences of people who were killed .

The statement said among those killed are  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 was massacred during the Kano supplementary election, there was no election conducted, it was nothing buy a sham which led to snatching the people’s mandate in a broad day light.’’

It noted that 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.

It said the party is heading to Election Petition Tribunal with full believe in Allah’s will.