The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to influence the Supreme Court before Friday’s judgment on the appeal filed by the NNPP and Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The party says it has unwavering confidence in the Supreme Court’s ability to deliver justice, adding that the issues at hand have previously been ruled in favour of the NNPP.
The Acting National Chairman of the party, Abba Kawu Ali, said reports from Kano reveal that APC leaders were distributing souvenirs, anticipating victory at the apex court.
According to him, the global norm is that parties involved in a judicial matter should refrain from influencing outcomes during the proceedings.
He said: “Without doubt, this action by the APC is tantamount to harassment and blackmail of the judiciary. And this act should be roundly condemned by all lovers of democracy and the rule of law.
“It is the view of the NNPP that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leader of the APC in Nigeria, should call his party leaders in Kano State to order. As a matter of fact, the desperation of the APC leaders in Kano State has reached a crescendo and if not checked, could plunge the state, Northern Nigeria and the entire country into a crisis of monumental proportions.
“It is very visible, even to the blind, that the APC was roundly defeated by the NNPP in Kano state in the last general elections and that the APC was only trying to get through the back door what it failed to get through the ballot box. The facts are there for all to see. It is on record that NNPP trounced the APC in all the five elections conducted in Kano state in the 2023 general elections. So, why are they so particular about the governorship seat?
“We are using this medium to reiterate our unflinching confidence in the ability of the Supreme Court to dispense justice. All the issues before the Supreme Court are matters that have at various times been decided in favour of the NNPP position. So, why is the APC heating up the polity?
“From our findings, the Justices in the Supreme Court are men and women of courage and impeccable character who have the fear of God in their hearts and are focused on dispensing justice and upholding the rule of law. Perhaps it has become pertinent to remind the APC in Kano that if the former party in Government had behaved the way the APC in Kano is behaving, democracy would have long been dead and buried in Nigeria.
“We assure the vast majority of Kano people, who are in love with the man to whom they freely gave their mandate, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State, that nothing will happen to the mandate they freely gave to him on March 18, 2023. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf will continue to discharge the duties and responsibilities of his office to the best of his abilities and for the maximum benefit to the good people of Kano State,” the statement read in part.
