The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Isah Ashiru Kudan, has vowed to recover his mandate through the courts following the recent election. Expressing confidence in the judiciary, Ashiru said he will leave no stone unturned because “it’s the people’s mandate.” He appealed to PDP supporters to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands, emphasizing that the state cannot afford to lose peace during this critical period of the nation’s democratic journey.
According to reports, the state INEC Collation Officer, Prof. Lawal Suleiman Bilbis, announced that the APC governorship candidate polled 730,002 votes, while Ashiru scored 719,196 votes. The Labour Party candidate, Jonathan Asake, received 58,283 votes to finish third, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party candidate, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, came a distant fourth with 21,405 votes. Rejected votes stood at 19,114.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Thursday, the PDP candidate said he would pursue a logical, legal conclusion to recover the mandate. He outlined the steps: first seeking administrative intervention from the Independent National Electoral Commission, and, if necessary, proceeding to the tribunal, the Appeal Court, and ultimately the Supreme Court. “I have confidence that we will recover the mandate. The mandate is not mine; it belongs to the good people of Kaduna State, and I have the responsibility to ensure we retrieve it,” he declared, adding that the Nigerian judiciary is the “last hope of the common man.”
Ashiru assured that his supporters are law‑abiding and would not join disgruntled elements. “Even if we protest, it will be peaceful,” he said, stressing that none of his members would be found wanting as long as peace is maintained in Kaduna State. He described the state as fragile, noting that the security situation remains a challenge after years of APC administration. “We will not encourage any of our members to do what is not correct. Peace is something we must cherish and ensure the state remains in peace.”
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