Few days after President Muhammadu Buhari’s congratulatory message to Kano state governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, over his victory at the election Tribunal, over 50 opposition political parties and many civil society organisations, under the aegis of All Parties and Civil Associations Platform (APCAP), congratulate Ganduje for emerging victorious.
In a letter sent to the governor dated Friday 4th October, 2019 and signed by the duo of Chief Benjamin Aturu Dogo and Bello Sanin Kwalla, the amalgamation of the opposition parties together with some serious civil society organisations, confirmed that, “What transpired is but a clear victory for democracy. As described by our dear President Muhammadu Buhari.”
While acknowledging that, the defeated gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Abba Kabir Yusuf, has every constitutional right to appeal the judgement, the group observed that, “Your victory is predicated on clear and objective display of professionalism in the dispensation of justice. So appeal or no appeal, the situation will remain so till 2023.”
The group made it clear to the governor that, it was categorical for any discerning mind, and not necessarily a legal person, to understand, right during PDP’s submission of witnesses, that, the case was another avenue to show to Nigerians how transparent the election was.
That, according to them, “Proves to us how confused, unprepared and unorganised Governor Ganduje’s detractors could be. This judgement alone is a pointer to your (Gov. Ganduje) all-embracing attitudes towards your opponents. Because after the judgement your major concern was to reiterate your stand for safer, healthier and peaceful Kano.”
Another part of the letter reminded that, PDP’s appeal could further expose the weaknesses of the opposition party. Which they believe could further ditch the party (PDP) into hopelessness and ‘planlessness’ in the forthcoming 2023 general election in the country.
“As an amalgamation of many opposition parties and many civil society organisations, that were visible and active during the gubernatorial election, as election observers, we all strongly believe that, PDP’s next move, by way of appealing the judgement, is nothing but waste of time, energy and resources. Which will further disintegrate the party at all levels, particularly in Kano state,” reads the letter.
To also appreciate the “…display of maturity after the judgement, by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in celebrating the victory, we are assuring Nigerian politicians that, Kano reaches an advance stage in democratic experience and experiment. Because we realised that there wasn’t any rift caused by the joyful APC supporters.”
It was on this note that they called on all the joined opposition parties that co-authored the congratulatory letter, to realise that, for them to bounce back to power in Kano and the nation in general, they needed to fused into a unified political front to face the ruling party APC.
On Ganduje’s resolve to put in place, all-inclusive regime, the letter maintains that “…that could mean weakening our opposition parties, but we still believe that your administration means well for Kano state. And we will keep on tracking your steps purposely to strengthen good governance.”
