From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Kano state Government has rejoiced over the outcome of Saturday’s state and National Assembly rerun election in the state, congratulating the candidates of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for victory well-deserved.
According to a statement by the state Commissioner of Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, the performance of APC candidates at the election was a pointer to the fact the the party is tightening its grip on the political landscape of Kano.
Garba said Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, APC leadership and the state government were particularly happy that the former leader of the House of Representatives, Ado Alhassan Doguwa retained his seat at the Green Chamber.
The statement added that all the elections were conducted peacefully as voters exercised their franchise.
The AUTHORITY reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Doguwa as winner having polled 66, 667 against his People’s Democratic Party (PDP) rival, Air Commodore Yushua salisu ( rtd), who scored 6,400 votes.
Also, Hon. Munir Babba Dan’Agundi of the APC has regained his seat to represent Kumbotso Federal Constituency at the Green Chamber after scoring 32, 114 against the PDP candidate, Hon. Umar Balla who got 31, 258.
However, the Federal Constituency election in Kiru/Bebeji was won by the PDP which scored 48, 641 against the APC candidate who got 13, 507.
On re-run elections into the Kano state House of Assembly in Madobi, APC scored 25, 403 to beat the PDP which got 23, 625, while in Minjibir the APC polled 18, 455 to defeat the PDP with 17, 607 votes.
Other results of the state legislature include Rogo where the APC scored 26, 730 to beat the PDP that got 26, 362; and in Bunkure, the APC clinched the seat with 20, 566 votes against the opposition PDP which scored 19, 941.
However, Doguwa dedicated his victory to God, people of his constituency, good people of Kano state and Nigerians who stood by him when he was suddenly removed from his position by the Appeal Court verdict.
He also thanked the state and national leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Speaker of the House of Representatives, leadership and the entire members of House for their support.
Doguwa who was visibly elated over his victory expressed unreserved appreciation to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for his support and encouragment.
Doguwa who spoke to journalists shortly,after beingdeclared winner, expressed satisfaction over the conduct of the election and the large turnout of voters during the re-run, adding that it is an indication that the people of his constituency are anxious to see him retain his seat at the National Assembly, “and now that I have won again, I am not going to disappoint them.”
According to him, “we thank God for sparing our lives to witness this day. It is my believe that the impressive turnout is because of the trust my people have in me. And l dedicate this victory to the people of my constituency, the good people of Kano state and Nigerians in general.
“They took the election very serious because of my relationship with them and the important position I occupy in the House. You can see what happened after the court annulled my election.
“I enjoyed the solidarity of the leadership of the House and all the members through what I can describe as unprecedented parliamentarian position the House took by refusing to replace my position.”
According to him, “our people are very zealous to see me back to the House. You know that our people are exposed. They have enough political awareness; and by the grace of God, I have not failed or disappointed them in any way, now that l am back all glory be to Allah.”
He, however, thanked the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the leadership and members of the House for their support.
Doguwa said he would be obliged to accept any position offered to him by the House leadership now that he has been reelected, adding that his primary desire is to serve his people and the country in whatever capacity as a lawmaker.
Meanwhile, the former chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin DanKofa
(Jarman Bebeji), has accepted defeat in good faith.
In a Press Statement he personally signed entitled “KIRU/BEBEJI KANO RE-RUN ELECTIONS SO LONG, FAREWELL…”, the embattled politician stated that, “the Kiru/Bebeji re-run election was held on Saturday 25th January, 2020 as scheduled. My constituents came out en mass to exercise their civic responsibility but were denied their franchise to vote the candidate and party of their choice through the application of maximum force in all the wards of our constituency except my home town of Kofa, Bebeji that proved impenetrable. We know we won the election fairy and squarely but our mandate was stolen.
“In many units, elections never took place. The ballot boxes were diverted but scores were miraculously entered. The violence, thuggery and rigging that took place have been carefully documented, at least for posterity. I have strong reservations about the outcome of the elections. However, INEC has announced my opponent as the winner of the election.
“Police, other security agencies and voters can bear witness to the fact that the electoral umpire announced the result not because my opponent had scored the majority of lawful votes. Iam sure those of them saddled with the responsibility of ensuring a free and fair election but aided and abated this grave injustice against our people will be eternally trailed by the guilt of their conscience and await the ultimate judgement of God.
“I have therefore accepted the outcome of the elections and wish to congratulate my opponent Aliyu Datti Ahmed who will continue from where I started about a decade ago and has now come to an end. I look forward to working closely with him and giving him whatever cooperation and assistance to settle down in his new role of representing our people. I do not intend to file petition against his declaration as winner. It is time to move on.
“I wish to thank Mr President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, National Chairman of our party the APC, Governor and Government of Kano state, chairman of the Governors forum, my colleagues in the 7th, 8th, and 9th House and other leaders at the federal and state level for their intervention and support during this period. May I also specially and once again thank my Governor, our party leadership at the state level and members of our party in Kano for their support.
“I thank my constituents who are still recovering from the trauma of what can best be described as a violent war against them, for giving me the opportunity to represent them on three occasions and the love and support they have showed me over the years.
I will continue to support the progress and development of my party, the APC both at the national and state levels and my constituency and constituents in my personal capacity as I have always done before I became an elected Representative nine years ago.”
Kofa was lately enmeshed in serious battle with the APC leadership over accusations of disloyalty and anti-party activities.
