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Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has denied allegation of entering into any agreement with the Presidency before the January 12, 2024 Supreme Court judgment on the state governorship election petition.
A document circulating on the social media claimed the existence of a four-term agreement between the governor and the Presidency.
Yusuf, under the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party, had emerged victorious when the apex court delivered its judgement, despite being sacked on September 20, 2023 by the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.
Also before the Supreme Court ruling, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja in November last year, affirmed the tribunal judgment, which declared the All Progressives Congress candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, winner of the governorship election.
But the Supreme Court on January 12 set aside the lower courts’ decisions which earlier sacked the governor.
A statement issued on Monday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Tofa, described the document circulating on the social media as an imaginary piece, devoid of any iota of truth.
The statement said “For the purposes of emphasis, the rather fake agreement, noting that Governor Yusuf has accepted to cross carpet to the ruling APC, jettisoning purported claim to dissolve or allow the five Emirates, halting demolition of illegal structures and establishment of Kano Elders Council should be disregarded,”
Stressing that having secured his mandate through the popular votes of the people of of the state and certified by a fair affirmation of the Supreme Court judgment, the governor said he would not be intimidated by any political opportunist.
“Let me also remind those political jobbers hiding under the leniency of Mr President that whatever political decision or direction that would be taken in Kano will be determined within the confines of the rule of law and executive powers vested in the office of the Executive Governor.
“We debunk the rumour and çatogprocally that no amount of blackmail will distract His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf from delivering his laudable projects and programmes for the good people of Kano state.
“Also worthy of note, the establishment of Kano Elders Council is a personal initiative of the Governor, toward finding an endurable solution to problems affecting the state’s socio-economic and political development. Hence, the Governor Yusuf was not under pressure to constitute the council,” the statement said.
Claiming that the governor did not enter into any agreement, the statement said “I wish to categorically state that Governor Yusuf did not enter any agreement nor condition, with anybody prior to the Supreme Court Judgment. I therefore urge the public to dismiss and ignore the fallacy being orchestrated by enemies of progress.
“It is on record that my lord, the Justices of the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment with justice, equity and fairness and largely protecting the integrity of the judiciary,” it said.
PUNCH