On the occasion of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day celebration, Nigerians in the diaspora assembled at the country’s High Commission in London to demand justice and fairness in the Kano governorship election trial.
The rallying Nigerians, holding placards, expressed their concerns over the alleged interference of Abdullahi Ganduje-led All Progressive Congress (APC) in the Kano governorship election petition tribunal.
Through a display of various placards, the protesters vehemently called for an impartial justice system that is free from political influence, ensuring fairness for the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) government in Kano state.
The messages conveyed on the placards included: “The Independence of a country depends on the Independence of its judiciary,” “Kano must not be robbed, Tinubu should allow Justice to prevail in Kano,” “Kano People’s Mandate Must be Allowed, No More Unjust Rulings: Abba’s Mandate must not be stolen,” “Election Tribunals Must Be Just and Fair—the Kano case must not be an exception,” “Keep Politics Out of Our Courts—the Kano Election Tribunal was compromised!,” “Tribunal neutrality is non-negotiable. Kano people deserve justice, not politics,” and “Defend democracy and demand fair tribunals. Kano people deserve justice.”
The convener of the protest, Dr Aminu Bello, explained to journalists present at the event that they gathered at the Nigerian High Commission in London to protest against the recent judgment delivered by the Kano State Election Tribunal regarding the 2023 election. The judgment has raised serious doubts about its fairness and ignited a call for justice to be served.
According to Dr Bello, the 2023 elections were a significant moment in Nigeria’s history, reflecting a time when Nigerians from diverse backgrounds joined forces to exercise their democratic rights and choose their leaders.
However, he noted that the recent turn of events in Kano State has cast doubt on these fundamental democratic principles.
Dr Bello highlighted that the judgment issued by the Kano governorship Election Petition Tribunal has left many Nigerians disheartened and concerned about the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
“We want to emphasize a crucial point: it is only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that has the legal authority to cancel votes, not tribunal judges. The judiciary’s role is to interpret the law and ensure justice is served, not to alter the will of the people expressed at the ballot box,” he stated.
“We firmly believe that justice must be blind and that the rule of law must prevail in all circumstances. The recent judgment has raised questions about whether justice has truly been served in this instance. We call upon all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliation, to rise and fight for justice,” Dr Bello pleaded.
Dr Bello emphasized that democracy thrives on the diversity of political voices and the competition of ideas. He asserted that Nigeria should never be reduced to a one-party system. The country’s democracy lies in a vibrant multi-party system where all citizens have a fair chance to express their choices and aspirations.
He also stressed that the mandate given to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf by the people of Kano State must be respected and upheld.
Furthermore, Dr Bello called on civil society organizations, political parties, and the international community to closely monitor the situation in Kano State, ensuring justice is served and the people’s mandate is protected.
“We urge all Nigerians to engage in peaceful, lawful, and constructive ways to demand transparency and accountability in the Kano State electoral tribunal case. We equally call upon civil society organizations, political parties, and the international community to closely monitor the situation in Kano State and ensure that justice is served, and the votes of the Kano people must not be stolen,” he concluded.
