Reactions are being sparked by the Yoruba community in Kano State’s recent alarm.
Yoruba people living in various areas of Kano State had expressed concern that they may become the target of an attack after the Appeal Court’s recent ruling that dismissed Governor Abba Yusuf.
Recall that on September 17, the Appeal Court declared the election of Governor Yusuf, who ran for governor on March 18 on the platform of the New Nigerian People’s Party, or NNPP, to be void. This information is provided by Anaedoonline.ng.
In a unanimous ruling, the three-judge appellate court determined that Governor Yusuf was unable to compete in the governor’s race. He also had some of his votes revoked.
2023: APC Still Superior To Kwankwaso’s NNPP In Kano – Ganduje
The court ruled that the information presented by the parties proved that, at the time of the election, Governor Yusuf was not a member of the NNPP.
The court claimed that because Yusuf was not legitimately sponsored by the NNPP, he was ineligible to run for governorship under section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Following that, the All Progressives Congress’s Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna was proclaimed the election’s victor by the court.
Anger spread throughout the nation after the Appeal Court’s finding, with some Nigerians accusing the ruling APC of swaying the court’s ruling.
Despite warnings from security authorities, the ire of the governor’s followers and other opposition parties turned into a protest in the old city.
Additionally, some natives have allegedly threatened to harm Yoruba residents of the state, claiming that President Bola Tinubu, their “kinsman,” is forcing his leadership on them.
LATEST: NNPP Suspends Chairman For Disrespection Buba Galadima
The Yoruba group claimed that certain native inhabitants were planning an attack against them.
Speaking on behalf of the Concerned Yoruba Community in Kano, they urged other well-meaning Yoruba nationals and leaders to take an interest in the situation.
At a special press conference, the group led by Taofeek Olalekan Olaosebikan claimed that the circumstances were threatening their life in Kano.
“Kano is a very volatile state politically, which is why all men and women of goodwill should be concerned about the situation in Kano and rally around a collective initiative to save the state from any calamity which will affect us and our livelihood.
“In this regard, we are using this platform to call on all Yoruba Obas and leaders to wade into the Kano situation without further delay by engaging President Bola Ahmad Tinubu for a possible political settlement of the Kano logjam.
“Kano must not be allowed to erupt into such preventable chaos as it happened in the past.
Security Remains Threat To 2023 Elections – NNPP Chairman
“Of course, many enlightened minds believe very strongly that what we are witnessing in Kano today has a strong relationship with political elite’s interference in the political result and mandate so obviously given to Abba Kabir Yusuf by the citizens of the state” the group stated.
Similarly, a Yoruba trader in Kano, Mr Matthew Adebayo, told Newsmen on Saturday that some indigenes are allegedly “threatening us that Yoruba people have removed the person they elected and that they will deal with us.
“This is so bad that wherever you see people gathered, especially supporters of the NNPP, they are talking about how Yoruba people came to change what they fought hard to get.
“Some of them don’t even patronise us anymore. When they come to your shop to buy something, immediately they realise that you are a Yoruba person, they move to another shop.
“Most of us are not into politics; we are here to make a living, so it is very wrong for some people to pour their anger on us. We have been living in peace with everyone here”, he said.
Kano Tribunal: NNPP Blames Kwankwaso As Tribunal Sacks Abba Yusuf
The claims, according to Seyi Oluronsola, Chairman of the Yoruba Cultural Group, a group thought to have been founded by Yoruba APC members, were schemes by the NNPP and its allies to blackmail the president, he told Newsmen on Saturday.
He said, “Of course, there are side talks generated by the indigenes, especially from the top hierarchy of the NNPP themselves.
“They are doing everything possible to counter what the judiciary has done. This is Kano today, and everybody is moving about doing their business.
“Some Yorubas are APC, PDP, NNPP and even Labour Party members, just like you see elsewhere. All these things are just political propaganda. They just want to blackmail the president.
“I am a former councillor, and as far as I am concerned, I represent the entire Yoruba community here”.
The pan-Yoruba socio-political and cultural organisation Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, responded to a request for comment by saying that “it’s for people who suspect that danger is looming to cry for help.”
2023: Peter Obi To Join NNPP, Contest Party Primary With Kwankwaso
“Thus, the Yoruba community in Kano, or any other group for that matter, is not doing anything wrong in calling for help when they see danger coming or feel threatened”.
He was, however, quick to caution against anything that could border on encouraging any arm of government, particularly the executive, to interfere with the judicial process.
“Also, it does not augur well to insinuate that the executive arm or the Presidency is directing the courts or electoral tribunals to determine electoral cases in a particular way.
“Going by various electoral cases that have been determined so far, it is clear that all the major political parties have gained and lost at multiple levels.
“Incidentally, the laws of the land make it possible for those who are dissatisfied with the verdict of a particular court to move to the next level in the form of an appeal. This is the norm in the civilised climes to which Nigeria also belongs.
“In the case of Kano, it is important that security agencies should step in to ensure that all Nigerians in that state are protected – without regard to their tribe, gender, language or religious faiths.
Kano: Heavy Security Presence Spoil APC, NNPP Rally and Protest
“Incidentally, the aggrieved party, the NNPP, has filed an appeal. It is important to pursue that line of action”.
He called on the Kano State Governor and security agencies to ensure the safety of residents’ lives and properties.
“We in Afenifere appeal to the government of Kano State and security agencies, particularly the police, to ensure that no harm comes to any resident in that state no matter their tribe.
“Every Nigerian is entitled to protection, especially law-abiding citizens,” he said.
Ajayi reminded politicians that members of respective tribes live in various parts of the country.
“As such, no harm should be done to those living in a particular area so as not to provoke a reprisal in another part of the country.
Umahi Reveals Igbo Youths Are Responsible For Insecurity In South East
“It is important for us to toe the line provided by law to seek redress when we feel aggrieved.
“It is important to seek the path of peace and live harmoniously with one another,” the Afenifere spokesman advised.
Follow us on Facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.