Joint security teams have deployed to strategic locations in Kano amidst fears of a violent protest after the Court of Appeal nullified the election of Gov. Abba Yusuf, police said Monday.
“It is on this note that the police command issue this warning to residents of the state to be extra careful as whoever intends to conduct any protest or procession should do so in accordance with the provisions of the law,” Kano police spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa, said Monday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
He said support groups of “some political parties” were planning to take to the streets in protest of the court’s decision, and quoted police commissioner Usaini Gumel as urging residents to avoid any form of unlawful gathering, protest or procession that may trigger violence.
“Whoever attempts to disrupt the peace in the state will be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law,” he said.
Not qualified to run
The appeal court on Friday sacked Yusuf as governor of Kano, upholding the September 20 decision of the election petition tribunal.
A three-member panel of judges led by Moore Adumein unanimously declared Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the March 18 poll.
The tribunal ruled that Gawuna had more votes when as much as 165,663 invalid ballots were discounted.
The panel also disqualified Yusuf as a candidate in the election, saying he was not a member of the Nigerian National Peoples Party (NNPP) at the time of the election.
Yusuf won the poll with the support of former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The final ruling in the case will be given by the supreme court.
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