Gawuna following Kano tribunal ruling: "I'm not afraid of an appeal."

Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for governor of Kano State in the March 18 election, has said that he is fearless of the appeal that would challenge the tribunal's decision to uphold his victory.

On Wednesday, the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal removed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and proclaimed the APC the election's victor.

The three-person panel mandated that Yusuf's certificate of return be withdrawn and that a certificate of return be provided to Gawuna.

The court removed 165,663 votes from Yusuf's total since the ballots for those votes were not stamped or signed and were therefore illegitimate.

Gawuna said, "I am grateful to Allah for our victory in the Kano State election, which was affirmed by the court today (Wednesday)," in an interview with BBC Hausa when reacting on the tribunal's ruling. I give Him thanks for His decision to use us as His leaders. I also appreciate the prayers and support of the public and our attorneys.

He pointed out that although the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) was initially named the winner, they later challenged the results in court because they believed Allah had already chosen the decision.

Insisting that they believe everything happens to them is Allah's will, Gawuna added that anyone who believes that nothing happens without Allah's will will never worry or view governance as a life-or-death matter.

He said, "We believe that whatever occurs is for the best, therefore we are not terrified or afraid. Allah does not commit errors.