“You Must Have Lost Your Conscience, You Product Of Rigged Election” – Abba Yusuf Replies Ganduje

The Kano State Gubernatorial Candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf has said that for Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to celebrate what happened on 23rd of March, 2019, proves that his conscience must have been on vacation.

Engr Yusuf stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesman, Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, which says “For Ganduje to celebrate what happened on 23rd of March, 2019 as legitimate election, his conscience must have been on vacation. It is our prayer that he regains it to be able to send apologies to the good people of Kano State on his malicious actions that put the state into anarchy through crass impunity.

Yusuf, who was reacting to an interview granted to Daily Trust by Ganduje accused the governor of lying after he (Ganduje) claimed that no life was lost during the rerun election, which was condemned by several observer groups including the European Union observers due to widespread violence, voter intimidation and massive rigging.

The PDP candidate listed names of victims of violence, who were killed by thugs suspected to be hired by Ganduje’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during the polls.

“We are absolutely sure Ganduje and his cronies who perpetrated the March 23rd Thuggery could not sleep with their two eyes open, you cannot instigate bloodshed of innocent citizens and expect peace of mind, he said the was no life lost, while we have genuine evidences of people who were killed such as Hon.

“Tukur Muhammad Dala of Gobirawa quarters in Dala Local Government, Abubakar Sule Filatan in Rogo Local Government, Muhammad Mustapha of Gandun Albasa to mention but few. Scores were terribly injured, some of the victims alive are ready to testify before the election petition tribunal, they are members of Kwankwasiyya movement and the only sin they committed was trying to perform their civic right either as voters or party agents,” he said in a statement by his spokesman Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa.

“It was glaring to the local and foreign media, domestic and international observers and the general public how Kano was placed under siege by hired thugs imported from neighboring state of Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau, Bauchi and the Niger Republic by Gov. Ganduje and his cohorts, but he (Ganduje) shamelessly told the world that the election was free and fair bragging that people should ask the so called DIG Anthony Michael and Residence Electoral Commissioner Professor? Risqua Shehu Arabi.

“It was clear that voters were disenfranchised, sensitive materials were hijacked by APC stalwarts who were seen stuffing ballots boxes with already thumb printed ballot papers in favour of the ruling APC. Results were fabricated with the full support of the INEC officials. Upon all the unfortunate trend of events that took place during the re-run, INEC went ahead to unlawfully declare the result in favour of Ganduje which throws the people of Kano into a state of mourning for weeks.

“The election was characterized by open vote buying, voter intimidation, harassment and flagrant abuse of human rights, killing and maiming of innocent citizens by the thugs in connivance security agents.

“The state witnessed a massive violence ever, after the so called election, hoodlums went on rampage attacking unsuspecting members of the society, and thugs were seen in the Kano Government House brandishing dangerous weapons, removing historic pictures and symbols in the name of celebration.

“It is evident that INEC in Kano and the security apparatus have been compromised through inducement by the Ganduje’s administration. We have seen reports exposing speedy land allocation to some INEC officials. To a significant extent, Ganduje influences the major decisions of the electoral body (INEC) in Kano.

“Let me remind Gov. Ganduje and his cohorts that sooner or later, they will appear before our creator (the almighty Allah) to account for their misdeeds at a time when they have no defense, no incumbency, no dollars or naira to induce anyone.

“Out of desperation and high degree of impunity, Ganduje relocated to Gama ward in Nassarawa Local Government to steer the tactics of election rigging and was sighted trying to deceive the people with projects executed in a window dressing approach.

“We are heading to Election Petition Tribunal with full believe in Allah’s will, we are determined that the stolen mandate would be retrieved and we shall run the affairs of Kano state with utmost fairness, prudence, accountability and allow participation of the citizenry. We are also very optimistic that the tribunal will remain impartial so as to restore the confidence of Nigerians on the Judiciary,” Yusuf added.