-
We’ll not tolerate violent processions, protests or celebrations – CP Gumel warns
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Ahead of the Court of Appeal judgment fixed for today, 17th November 2023 on the appeal filed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano challenging his removal by the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, the Police Command in Kano has assured residents of the state of their safety and security before, during and after the judgment that will be delivered in Abuja.
Accordingly, the Commissioner of Police Usaini Gumel assured that adequate personnel have been deployed across the metropolis to beef up security and ensure that there is no breakdown of peace and order
On 20th September 2023, a three-member panel of judges led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay sacked Governor Yusuf by declaring as invalid 165,663 of his votes because the ballot papers were not signed or stamped by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
By that Tribunal’s ruling, the governor’s votes were ultimately reduced to 853,939 while those of his All Progressives Congress (APC) opponent, Nasir Ganuwa, remained at 890,705 votes.
In rejecting the Tribunal judgment, which he described as “unfair” and “a miscarriage of justice”, Governor Yusuf had headed to the Appeal Court where his Lead Council, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), asked that the ruling of the tribunal be set aside.
According to the senior lawyer, who opposed the ruling on ballot papers, it is the first time in the history of election petition that a Tribunal would annul an election over non-signing of the back of ballot papers.
Arguing that the Tribunal erred in its ruling, Olanipekun further noted that it was also the first time that a political party would file a matter without joining its candidate as a party in the petition and the candidate would be declared winner of the polls.
However, the APC counsel, Akin Olujimi SAN, countered the submission by saying the Appeal Court stated emphatically that the non-signing of ballots amounted to electoral malpractice.
He argued that INEC regulations have set out what presiding officers are to do at the point of voting, adding that the back of ballot papers must be signed and dated.
On Thursday, the Appellate Court announced that judgment would be delivered on Friday, (today) in line with its earlier position of reserving judgment to a date that would be communicated to all the parties involved.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Kano, Usaini Gumel said: “After the outcome of the forthcoming Kano Governorship Appeal Court judgment, the residents have every right to express their feelings, but that should be done in their respective homes.”
However, he told journalists that within the people’s right to express themselves, “What we are avoiding is a situation where some people in the name of celebration or expressing sadness over the outcome of the judgement would truncate the peace Kano enjoys.
“We will not tolerate that as police and other security agencies have adopted various security measures to confront any form of security threats in all parts of our supervision.”
Furthermore, the Police boss warned that any form of engaging in mass actions, suggesting preparation for violent processions, protests or celebrations that could trigger reactions would not be tolerated, even as he warned politicians against unguarded statements likely to increase unnecessary tension or undermine the security arrangements and the sanctity of the judicial system should also be avoided.
Urging residents to go about their daily activities peacefully, CP Gumel said; “I am liaising with other heads of security agencies working in the state as we have deployed adequate personnel and equipment to identify strategic locations in and outside the metropolis to ensure security of lives and property of residents.
“This is to forestall any attempt to cause disturbance or breakdown of law and order. While the police and other security agencies are assuring the good people of the state of adequate security before, during and after the declaration of the appeal judgement, residents of Kano State are also expected to play their part in avoiding to be involved in the breakdown of law and order”.
