Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have condemned a protest staged in London on Sunday against the Nigerian judiciary, describing it as a blackmail by the leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano.
Specifically, the stakeholders under the aegis of National Coalition of APC Progressives Stakeholders accused Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and the state leadership of the NNPP of sponsoring the protest, saying the London outing was shameful.
The Kano State governorship election petitions tribunal in its judgement sacked Governor Yusuf of the NNPP, citing irregularities where over 165,000 votes were tumprinted and stuffed in ballot boxes unlawfully without the official stamp or signature of the presiding officers.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja yesterday in reaction to the development, the group’s national secretary, Barr Isabella Odunayo, called on the Inspector General of Police and the department of State Service to investigate the role of the Kano state governor and the leadership of the NNPP in the event.
Odunayo said, “After failed attempts to discredit the tribunal ruling, the NNPP desperation took them to London where it sponsored a protest to blackmail the Federal Government and discredit the tribunal judgement, unknowingly to the organizers, Nigerians in diaspora had watch clips of the jubilation that trailed the APC victory at the tribunal thereby Nigerians in London ignored the sponsored protest.
“It is shameful that Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Kwankwasiyya Movement only got eight persons for a protest which targeted about one thousand (1000) people, a sign that Nigerians both home and in diaspora accepted the judgement in good faith.
“The NNPP should be aware that the judiciary can not be intimidated by its threat as security agencies in Nigeria are fully prepared to secure the Country. The eight people led by Dr Aminu Bello who embarrassed themselves yesterday in London does not represent the interest of Nigerians.
“It is barbaric and indeed archaic for the NNPP to toll the part of blackmail calling for justice in far away London when justice has already been served with the judgment of the tribunal.
“It is unpalatable to speak ill of the judiciary because your stealing antics were uncovered. Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf has no shame that is why he is still sponsoring Campaign against the judiciary.”
The group also advocated special trials for electoral offenders where they should be committed to jail for election theft.
“We call on the Inspector General of Police and the department of state service to commence investigation of the out-going Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the leadership of the NNPP ahead of their prosecution.
“It is by such actions that some desperate politicians may desist from rigging and instilling violence during elections. We are optimistic that the Apeal Court judges shall also deliver judgement on its merit,” Odunayo stated.
