The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Malam Abba Yusuf, as winner of the March 18 governorship election in Kano State.
The Chief Returning Officer for the election, Professor Ahmed Doko Ibrahim who declared the result at exactly 6:47 am local time at the INEC headquarters in Kano state said Abba polled 1,019,602 million votes to defeat his closest rival, the governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna who scored 890,705 votes.
“That Abba, Kabir Yusuf having scored the highest number of votes and having satisfied the requirements of the law is returned elected dated this day 20, March, 2023,” declared the Professor.
The Chief returning officer explained that the established cases of Violence in the election took place after the election as such the developments do not affect the margin of lead according to INEC guideline 2.
Difference in the winning vote amounts to 128, 897
NNPP won 30 out of the 44 Local Government Areas in the state, while APC won 14.
Total numbers of vote cast stood at 2,320,955 with 1,977,872 valid votes and 27,092 rejected votes.
The party agent for the NNPP at the collation center, Dr. Bappa Bichi expressed satisfaction with the results saying the will of Kano people has been accepted by the declaration of the results.
“It is the declaration of our will and commitment to democracy. Opportunity for peace, unity and development of Kano state and Nigeria in general,” he said.
The party agent for the APC, Suleiman Bichi reacted otherwise stressing that the party is going look at the provisions of the law and take the necessary action urging the people of Kano to remain calm.
“We reject the guideline number 2 interpreted by the Chief Returning Officer instead of guideline number 6. However, I want all Kano people especially our party faithful to remain calm. Losing election is not the end of life as there are other days to win again,” he advised.
