From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
Gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State, Kabiru Yusuf, has said the party would not accept any form of intimidation or inconclusive arrangement in the 2023 elections.
Yusuf was leading in the 2019 gubernatorial poll that was declared inconclusive by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but dramatically dropped to the second place after the supplementary elections.
In a briefing in Kano, Yusuf said: “This time around, we would not tolerate any form of intimidation from any quarters as we remain resolute to democratic principles.
“With the growing number of registered voters in the state and the willingness of the people to participate in the next elections, we are very optimistic the people’s mandate would prevail this time around and every vote must count.
“We, therefore, wish to urge all security agencies to remain just and fair through a professional conduct of their civic responsibilities by creating a level-playing field for all candidates.”
The candidate, who spoke through his spokesperson, Sanusi Tofa, said he would operate within the confine of the Electoral Act 2022 and the 1999 Constitution.
“Let me reiterate our commitment to championing an issue-based campaign devoid of malice, witch-hunting and blackmail so as not to heat up the polity,” he said.
He expressed delight at the sustained momentum and perseverance of his supporters and the people of Kano State from the inception of his candidature in 2019 to date.
He said in the next few days, he would unveil his blue print for the state to the public as well as inaugurate the state campaign council.
He also raised the alarm on the activities of a syndicate of politicians in the state that collect Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs)from unsuspecting public with the aim of disenfranchising them from exercising their civic rights.
He maintained that his party had put in place necessary mechanism to track, report and pursue legal action against any individual or group found to be engaged in heinous act that is contrary to the law of the country.