By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the lingering protests in the state capital, describing them as a violation of the Peace Accord signed by both the NNPP and the APC in the state.
A chieftain of the party, Alhaji Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, made the condemnation while addressing a press conference at the NUJ Press Centre, Kano, on Thursday.
Kwankwaso, a former Commissioner in the immediate past APC administration in the state, accused the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party(NNPP) of sponsoring the protests.
He alleged that the NNPP government was funding the protests to ventilate its anger at the judgment of the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which voided the election of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and declared Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna as the winner of the March 18, 2023, Governorship election, and the subsequent affirmation of the judgement by the Court of Appeal.
“These judgements were passed in accordance with the constitutional provisions and the Electoral Act, as amended.
“Not happy with the judgement, the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya Movement have engaged in massive propaganda, thereby insulting the judiciary and trying to instigate political violence in Kano.
“This is a violation of the Peace Accord that was signed at the Police Command recently, part of which has banned such public assemblies,” the APC stalwart said.
He said contrary to what is being portrayed by the NNPP government, the state is experiencing peace and tranquillity with everybody going about his business.
“These protests are stage-managed and deliberately intended to create tension in the state and make it look like all is not well.
“The people of Kano are with APC and with Gawuna and Ganduje. We won our election and the Court detected the invalid votes they mischievously placed during the polls and cancelled them, and ours were returned to us,” Kwankwaso said.
He thanked the people of the state for their support and patience and urged them to continue to remain calm and law-abiding “as we await the judgement of the Supreme Court which we believe will Insha Allah be in our favour.”