The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kan0 has responded to the judgement of the Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna, which upheld the election of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the governor of Kano state.

Kano Focus reports that on Friday, the appellate court dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate Abba Kabir Yusuf, challenging Mr Ganduje’s election victory.

It could be recalled that on October 2, 2019 chairman of the Kano Election Tribunal, Justice Halima Shamaki had dismissed the petition filed by the PDP and Mr Yusuf for lack of proof, Kano Focus reports.

In her judgement, Justice Shamaki had averred that the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) was right in both declaring the March 9 election as inconclusive and in declaring Mr Ganduje the winner of the re-run election.

But the PDP and Mr Yusuf, filed an appeal challenging the ruling.

However in a unanimous verdict, Justice Tijjani Abubakar, who led the five-member appeal panel dismissed the entire petition of the PDP’s candidate for lacking in merit and reaffirmed the governor as the winner of the March 23 elections in the state.

However, in a statement the spokesperson for Mr Yusuf, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa said the opposition party received the appeal court’s ruling “with colossal hysteria”.

Mr Dawakin Tofa said the PDP and its candidate in the elections, Abba Kabir Yusuf are studying judgement after which they will “take a decisive action as appropriate to ensure retrieval of the stolen mandate”.

“We will not relent on our efforts to secure justice and fairness to the electorates, who were out massively to cast their votes on Saturday, 9th March, 2019 and those that were harassed, intimidated, maimed, killed or disenfranchised during the March 23rd supplementary elections.

“We want to use this opportunity, to appreciate our teaming supporters who have been praying intensively for our success in this legal battle, while reminding them on the need to remain calm as we have no state other than Kano, the peace of our dear state is paramount,” he said.

“We have hope in the judiciary, though that does not means we will not face hiccups in the judicial process, therefore the struggle is now at the most critical stage.

“We cannot waiver or slow down our momentum, we must forge ahead in high spirit until the expected victory is attained. As good Muslims, we knew that power belongs to almighty Allah and who gives to who He wishes at the time He so wishes,” added Mr Dawakin Tofa.