Alhassan Ado Doguwa, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, emphasized that the process of winning elections in Nigeria extends beyond the act of casting ballot papers.
During an interview with Channels TV, the former majority leader of the House of Representatives addressed the controversy surrounding the Kano State Gubernatorial elections, underscoring the multifaceted nature of election victories in the country’s democratic landscape.
Doguwa highlighted the complexity of electoral outcomes within the framework of Nigerian democracy, emphasizing the critical role of rules and regulations in determining election results. He emphasized the integral nature of adhering to the rule of law in the electoral process.
Reflecting on the political landscape in Kano, Doguwa asserted, “Kano has always been a progressive, proactive state in terms of politics and ideology. Winning an election entails abiding by the rules and regulations stipulated in the electoral act and the constitution of Nigeria. Compliance with these standards is imperative for securing victory in a free and fair election.”
“In the context of free and fair elections, the integrity of the process extends beyond the counting of ballots. Even when the votes have been counted, the legitimacy of certain ballots may be called into question,” Doguwa elaborated.
The gubernatorial poll on March 18 saw Abba Yusuf of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) declared as the winner. However, both the election tribunal and the Appeal Court subsequently nullified the election, citing the governor’s disqualification from contesting the poll.