POLITICS TODAY

Soon after the announcement of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as winner in the Kano State re-run gubernatorial election an estimated over 500 thousand party supporters proceeded to Kano Government House to congratulate the governor. Ganduje  was declared winner by the Kano Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Bello Shehu.

This was contained in a media release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kano State, Abba Anwar and made available to Politics Today in Kano.

Almost all streets within the city have reportedly become congested, compelling motorists to park their vehicles and trekking the remaining distance to their various destinations. “A distance of only 10 minutes became 2 hours or more, because of the logjam. Though the result was announced in the night, but that didn’t stop people from flooding the streets to jubilate”,  the Anwar noted.

According to the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, the hundreds of thousands of supporters joined “many past governors of the state, Senators, members of the National and State Assemblies, party leaders, students, civil society associations and women groups.”

Anwar then stated : “After receiving the unprecedented crowd at the main gate of the Government House, he proceeded to the Coronation Hall, of the Government House, and addressed thousands of supporters who converged to show their solidarity to the governor.

“While addressing the thousands and thousands of supporters Ganduje called on them to remain peaceful and law abiding while rejoicing the victory. Insisting that, “Only peaceful atmosphere can take us to the next level.”

He urged people to celebrate the victory through prayers and total submission to the Creator, Allah, as He Gives power to whoever He Wishes and takes away power from whoever He so Wishes.

The governor assured them of his resolve to continue with the developmental projects and policies his administration started, adding that “…the time of election has come and gone. We are being faced with governance, which we believe, will continue to be people-focused.”

After receiving his supporters and well wishers, he proceeded to another meeting hall at the Governor’s office, where he presented his  acceptance speech with an array of media men in attendance.

Ganduje, after commending the media in the role they played for the peaceful conduct of the election, urged them to continue with the good spirit for a peaceful society.

“I am sure you will agree with me that there is celebration everywhere in the state. People are happy for this victory. Which is not mine alone or the Deputy Governor’s. This is a victory for the state and for democracy,” he went on to say.

He advised the people of the State not to be distracted by politicians he described as blackmailers that painted the social media with fake gory pictures” during and even after this election. “You remember I signed a Peace Accord to that effect?” he asked rhetorically.

“Let me also urge our supporters not to engage in any breach of peace while celebrating our victory. And take this message to our supporters in the rural areas. I learned that, there is celebration all over the state,” governor appeals.

The governor assured that he would continue with the projects and policies he started in his first regime, emphasising that, “In our second tenure, we will do our best to make sure that, our policy approach is maintained, which will enable us to continue delivering to our people. The foundation laid will not be destroyed.”

He  then commended INEC for what he described as “free, fair and credible” conduct of the election, security agencies for maintaining peace and order; and the electorate for standing to see to the realisation of their choice.

“We don’t support any form of bloodletting, we don’t want any kind of crisis in our state and we don’t need brandishing of any harmful object under whatever guise. Now it is time to get back to work,” posits the governor.

Anwar also declared: “Reports reaching us show that similar celebrations are taking place across all local government outside metropolitan city centre”

The Returning Officer declared that incumbent Governor Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has 1,033,695 and People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) Abba Kabir Yusuf has 1,024,713. The votes margin between the two candidates was  8,982.