The APC had challenged the victory of Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party, who was earlier declared winner of the contentious March 18 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Addressing newsmen at his Asokoro residence in Abuja, Ganduje, who was flanked by Gawuna and a former Governor of the state, Senator Kabir Gaya, described the tribunal judgment as a vindication of what they already know.
This was even as the former Kano governor urged the residents of the ancient city to remain calm, assuring them that businesses would flourish again.
He said, “Today is a historic day. We thank Allah for providing an enabling environment for the judiciary to deliver fair and transparent judgement in our favour. The judgment is true (reflection of the electoral outcome). We thank the judiciary, our party leaders in our state, the business community, the media and various support groups.
“We have to commend everybody in Kano state for being patient and for their continuous prayers for Allah to give us victory. We urged them to continue to be peaceful and to continue to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner. We assure the business community that our new government if we come in, Insha Allah, under our able Governor, Dr Yusuf Gawana that business will flourish in Kano again.
“We thank Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is now in America, for creating an enabling environment for judiciary to flourish in Nigeria. We thank members of the press for giving coverage to enlighten and educate the people. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you and God bless you.”
While appreciating the huge turnout of his supporters and party faithful who besieged the residence, an emotional Gawuna swore that the day of the tribunal judgment will always remain a memorable day in his life.
Sharing Ganduje’s sentiment, the former deputy governor stated that the judgment was a true reflection of what went down at the state governorship election.
The former number two to Ganduje also promised not to betray the mandate of the people and the trust bestowed on him by President Bola Tinubu and the APC national chairman, who was described as a mentor.
“Today is a day that we will live to remember. I want to thank the judiciary for being fair and Almighty Allah. In Sha Allah, we will continue the good work. We are going to be fair to everybody. Kano state is a commerce, and commerce, education, and health are areas we have highlighted in our blueprint during our campaign and we will continue with what we have said. We will make sure Kano is free from insecurity and other vices. I thank Mr. President for bestowing his trust in our leader, Ganduje and for choosing him to be the national chairman of our great party. He has taken the party to a new height.
“For those who don’t know my history with Ganduje, during the merger between parties, I happened to be part of the merger from the defunct ANPP while they were coming in from the PDP. He was the deputy governor then and I had the opportunity of being a commissioner. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was the then governor of Kano State. I have a very good relationship with Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. In 2015 Allah destined him to be the Governor of Kano State. We were 19 that served in the government of Dr. Kwankwaso. But Ganduje found me worthy and capable and he selected only me to be in his cabinet.
“I remain grateful your Excellency and I am not going to take that for granted. After that, people didn’t know that while we were in government there was an opportunity for people to be chosen from Kano and Lagos State as Ministers, Ganduje chose me. But it did not happen. And Alhamdulillah another opportunity came in 2018 when the former deputy governor resigned and without lobbying, Ganduje found me worthy and chose me as his deputy. The day he swore me in, he said in his speech that ‘he is my deputy governor today and he is going to be my running mate in 2019.’ And he fulfilled that promise, ” he stated.
