Nigerian youths representing various political parties, under the banner of Stand Up Nigeria, have strongly denounced the reported intimidation and threats against members of the Kano State Governorship Election Tribunal.
They are now calling upon the National Judicial Council (NJC) to take immediate action by relocating the Kano Division of the Court of Appeal to Abuja.
The condemnation comes in the wake of unsettling statements from certain political elements warning of potential unrest in Kano, likening the situation to the challenges faced in Zamfara. These warnings followed allegations of undue influence on the tribunal’s outcome in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Patriot Sunday Attah, National Coordinator of the youth-group, emphatically declared, ‘Kano state will not become like Zamfara neither will it become another Borno. There will be no war in Kano,’” assuring the public of the commitment to peace.
Expressing concerns for the safety of justices presiding over election matters nationwide, the coalition stressed the NJC’s responsibility to proactively relocate such panels to Abuja. They argued that judges should be protected to ensure they can deliver justice without fear or favor.
“Abuja is a safe haven. Nobody can come and misbehave in Abuja. We are telling the NJC that any state where some elements have proven to be toxic and threatening to the judges, then the NJC should relocate the judges to Abuja,” Attah emphasized.
Regarding the Kano Tribunal’s recent judgment, which resulted in the removal of Governor Abba Yusuf, Stand Up Nigeria condemned the actions of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) elements, accusing them of threatening both judges and the peace of Kano State.
The group called upon politicians who have faced unfavorable tribunal rulings to focus on preparing for the next round of elections rather than resorting to intimidation or violence.
“You don’t have to intimidate the judiciary or incite conflict because you lost an election. The tenure is four years, after which fresh elections will be conducted. You may prepare yourself to contest again instead of sponsoring people to blackmail highly respected Justices of the election petition tribunal and intimidate the Appeal Court Judges, all in a bid to reverse a sound judgment already delivered,” the group stated.
The National Coalition Against Terrorism, comprising various civic groups against terror, issued a warning to the Kwankwasiyya movement in Kano for allegedly intimidating judges of the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. They have called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest and interrogate leaders of the political movement over comments by its members deemed incendiary.
Justice Benson Anya, a member of the tribunal, alleged death threats from the Kwankwasiyya movement and a former commissioner in the NNPP administration. In his ruling, he mentioned their threats to disrupt peace and stability in Kano State.
Terrence Kuanum, the National Coordinator of the coalition, expressed concern about growing tensions among those who lost in various tribunals, placing particular emphasis on the Kwankwasiyya Movement’s threats.
“Most worrisome is the threat by the Kwankwasiyya Movement, who are members of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP. We call on the Inspector General of Police to immediately arrest the Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement for proper interrogation over the threat to peaceful co-existence in Kano State,” Kuanum stated firmly.
The situation in Kano remains tense, with calls for judicial protection and the swift resolution of threats against justices and the democratic process. Nigerian authorities are now faced with the critical task of upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of all citizens involved in the electoral process.
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