THE Kano State police have beefed up security ahead of the Supreme Court’s decision on the Kano governorship election in an effort to prevent a breakdown in law and order.
The Supreme Court had reserved judgement on the exercise for tomorrow and hours before the delivery of the verdict, the Kano Police Command said it is prepared to crack down on anybody preparing mayhem before, during, and after the decision.
During a press conference today, Kano Police Commissioner Mohammed Usaini Gumel said the parties in the case had also agreed to follow the Apex court’s judgment.
Meanwhile, security authorities also warned miscreants not to commit crimes in light of the verdict tomorrow.
“The opposition has also made up their mind that as a party, they will not support anybody taking the law into his hands or breaking the existing laws or going into a rampage or any kind of destruction,” he said, vowing to not “take it easy with” anyone planning “to take advantage” of the court verdict to go on a rampage in the state.
Matching words with action, security personnel from the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and others have been sent to strategic locations throughout the state.
On the eve of the Supreme Court decision, sirens are heard blasting in various regions of the North-West state.
“We have mobilised sufficient armed personnel to provide security at all flashpoints, including political party offices, Government House, INEC HQ, banks, commercial Areas, mosques, churches, recreation centres, and motor parks before, during, and after the judgment.
“I am giving 100 per cent assurance to all law-abiding residents of the state to go about freely with their legitimate daily activities without threat to lives and property,” the commissioner added.
The warning comes months after the Kano election petitions tribunal dismissed Governor Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and declared All Progressives Congress (APC) Nasir Gawuna the winner of the March 2023 poll.
Governor Yusuf contested the verdict, but the court of appeals upheld the tribunal’s conclusion. However, he was unsatisfied with the verdict and filed a Supreme Court appeal.
