*Time shall tell if I will join president’s govt, former gov clarifies
*Verdict has upheld principles of fairness, NNPP insists
Chuks Okocha, Juliet Akoje in Abuja and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano
The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general election, Senator Rabiu Musa, and the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf have clarified that President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima had no hand in the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the victory of the governor in the last general election.
This is as the NNPP said the verdict of the apex court confirming Yusuf’s election reflects the court’s commitment to fairness.
While Kwankwaso said he did not reach an agreement with President Tinubu or anyone else on the outcome of the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Kano State governorship election, Governor Yusuf also clarified that President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima did not interfere in the legal battle, despite stiff pressure from those he described as some disgruntled elements.
Kwankwaso has also clarified that time shall tell if he will join Tinubu’s administration.
According to a statement issued yesterday by the Director of Public Enlightenment in Kano Government House, Aliyu Yusuf, the governor stated this on Friday while briefing journalists at the premises of the Supreme Court in Abuja shortly after the apex court’s judgement that reversed his sack.
The statement added that the governor noted with pleasure how the duo of Tinubu and Shettima never involved themselves in the matter.
The visibly elated governor also extended hands of friendship to his major opponent on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and his followers to join hands with his government towards the development of the state.
The statement reads: “According to Governor Abba, as a true democrat and progressive, I call on my opponent and his supporters to join hands with me in the crusade of developing our dear state Kano for the betterment of its teaming citizens.
“People of Kano need leaders with vision, passion, zeal, and commitment to initiating projects, policies and programmes that have a direct bearing on their lives in all facets and across nooks and crannies of the state.
“Alhaji Abba Kabir thanked Almighty Allah, the most exalted for the victory, commending the people of Kano for their support, steadfastness, prayers, sacrifices and brevity in affirming what they have elected as well as the Supreme Court Judges for upholding the glory of the Judiciary.
“He also appreciated NNPP leaders at all levels particularly the world leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso for his guidance and support during the trying period.
“The governor noted with pleasure how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his deputy, Kashim Shettima didn’t interfere in the apex court judgment despite stiff pressure from disgruntled quarters”.
Meanwhile, Kwankwaso has also clarified that he did not reach an agreement with President Tinubu or anyone else concerning the outcome of the Supreme Court’s verdict.
Kwankwaso stated this while responding to the claims that he had reached an agreement with Tinubu before the judgment.
The Supreme Court had on Friday affirmed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the NNPP as the duly elected governor of Kano State after a series of litigations.
Speaking with BBC Hausa, Kwankwaso said: “What happened at the Supreme Court is a lesson for all of us. I know that I mean well to everyone. Throughout the period, I have not done anything to anyone. And anybody would reap what he sows. To the best of my knowledge, I have not reached an agreement with anybody.
“All I know is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is my contemporary. I joined politics at the same time as him in the SDP (Social Democratic Party). Then he was a senator and I was serving as the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. In 1999, he was my colleague as the governor of Lagos State.
“We founded the APC together and we participated fully in the struggles which followed up. People should know that a lie has a short life. Despite the machinations those people staged, the judges have done what is right.
“There is no problem. They have their party; we have our own. We will work together where necessary. On the issue of joining the government, only time can tell.”
Kwankwaso also said he would not lord it over Kano State governor, noting that he could only advise him.
He said: “Kabir Yusuf is the governor. We can only advise. Even if he were a biological son, I can’t rule over him. I have given him advice even before the government came in. There are thousands of people like me. I can’t do it alone. When a governor or a president does well, the credit goes to him. If he does otherwise, the blame is directed at him.
“People misunderstand this. When I was a governor, I would pick suggestions kept by people even in dustbins. The same is true on radio stations and newspapers. For everything has an appointed time. Those who succeed should be allowed to prove their worth.
“There were errors with the previous judgment, but the Supreme Court undid what the lower courts did. If it were in other climes, those who delivered the judgments in the lower courts would quit their jobs.”
Supreme Court Has Upheld Principles of Fairness, NNPP Insists
Meanwhile, the NNPP asserted that the Supreme Court’s verdict confirming Yusuf’s election reflects the court’s commitment to fairness.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, the Acting National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Kawu Ali, praised the bravery, courage, and meticulous nature of the apex court Justices for overturning the removal of the governor.
Kawu said the verdict affirmed the victory of NNPP and their candidate in the March 18, 2023 election as the authentic, duly elected, governor of Kano State.
He held out an olive branch to the All Progressives Congress, (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties in the state, adding that as a party, it does not believe in taking revenge.
Kawu described the NNPP as a party for the future and for 2027, saying, “to be frank with you, we know what APC stands for in Kano. The NNPP has a different ideology from other parties. We don’t fight or undermine others unlike what they do.
“But we still extend our hand of fellowship to other political parties. Already, our governor after the ruling had said he would carry other political parties in Kano along even with appointments. We will assure the people of Kano and other Nigerians that they will expect the best from our government.”
The apex court had in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel of justices upturned the judgments of the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal which was affirmed by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, sacking governor Yusuf and declared Nasiru Gawuna of the APC as winner of the gubernatorial poll.
The NNPP Acting National chairman said: “NNPP appreciates the honourable Justices of the Supreme Court for their courage to uphold the principles of fairness and equity, as demonstrated in their judgment on Friday and also commended former Heads of State, former Presidents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, leaders of political parties, members of the bar, Students’ Union leaders, Diaspora Nigerians, and others for their individual and collective role in what was termed “Operation Save Kano and Save Democracy”, adding that the struggle to “save Kano” was a multi-partisan movement involving all lovers of democracy across the length and breadth of Nigeria and beyond.
“They should resist all external pressure and work with their conscience. This is necessary for the judiciary to maintain its age-old credibility and reverence as “the last hope of the common man”.
“Our judiciary must indeed be morally and institutionally strengthened to ensure its historic dignity and independence and its ability to serve, not the desires of the elite, but the yearnings and aspirations of the greater number of Nigerians,” Ali said
He added that the party will continue to defend, promote and serve the interest of the people of Nigeria at all times, irrespective of tribe, gender or religion.”
