It was a celebration galore in Kano as men, women and children took to the streets of Kano to welcome the Supreme Court’s judgement declaring Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as the duly elected governor of the state.
Jubilant residents trooped out on all the streets across the metropolis, chanting solidarity songs and dancing with placards and the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) insignias.
Friday’s Supreme Court judgement, which upturned the verdicts of court of Appeal and governorship election petition tribunal that voided the election of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, ignited the wild celebrations in Kano state.
The supreme court panel of 5 justices, in a lead judgement, read by Justice Iyang Okoro held that the lower court erred with the deduction of 165,616 votes scored by the governor during the march 18 election.
The panel also held that Yusuf’s membership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) was a pre-election matter.
Some supporters thronged the Miller Road residence of NNPP national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, but armed security men blocked the State Road and other roads leading to the Government House to stop supporters from taking celebrations there.
A resident and NNPP supporter Kabiru Makoda, who said he was happy, called on the opponents to accept the verdict in good faith.
“Today we are very happy because of this victory, but we want the governor to do everything possible to take Kano to greater height’’, he said.
Another resident, Hafsat Abubakar, expressed gratitude to Allah for giving the governor the victory at the apex court.
Some APC chieftains in the state declined comment on the Supreme Court verdict when contacted.
Reacting to the judgement, a senior lecturer at the political science department, Bayero University Kano, Dr Saidu Ahmad Dukawa, said it was not surprising because the apex court is a policy court.
He explained that the court could decide on new laws irrespective of what the lower courts had decided upon.
He said the Supreme Court often considers other factors including political and social factors, peace and stability in arriving at its decision.
He said by this judgement people should keep trying their luck up to the Supreme Court notwithstanding the judgements of lower courts.
In the meantime, security agencies have reassured residents that they are committed to preserving peace and security.
