In Kano, a contentious situation unfolded on Wednesday as youths, believed to be supporters of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), gathered in the Kofar Nasarawa area to protest the alleged inconsistencies in the Court of Appeal’s judgment that ousted the state Governor, Abba Yusuf. The unrest escalated as clashes erupted between the protesters and police dispatched to contain the demonstration.
The protest originated after the youth participated in a special prayer organized for the governor by local residents at 2 pm. Following the prayer, the demonstrators expressed their discontent with the judgment, leading to a clash with law enforcement officers.
Amid the protest in Kano, confusion lingered over the judgment as both the NNPP and the Labour Party refuted statements by the Court of Appeal and the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the discrepancies in the Certified True Copy of the judgment were mere clerical errors. The appellate court, in its Friday judgment, upheld the governor’s removal as per the state election petitions tribunal decision.
However, the Certified True Copy indicated a contradictory resolution, asserting that the Court of Appeal favored the appellant, Governor Abba Yusuf, setting aside the ruling of the state governorship election tribunal that removed him.
Tension heightened in Kano when NNPP supporters initiated the protest in Kofar Nasarawa after the prayer session. The demonstrators obstructed roads with bonfires and wood, causing disruptions to vehicular movements. Responding to the escalating situation, the state police command dispatched personnel to disperse the protesters, who resisted by throwing sticks and stones at the officers. The police eventually dispersed the protesters using teargas canisters.
The Public Relations Officer of the state police command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, was unavailable for comment when contacted.
