Following the violent protest in Kano state on Wednesday due to the ‘controversial’ court of Appeal judgment sacking Governor Abba Yusuf, the police in the state said it has arrested some arrowheads of the protest.
Last week, the Court of Appeal sitting in the state upheld an earlier judgment of the state Election Petition Tribunal which nullified the election of the state governor.
In his place, the appellate court declared Nasir Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in the March 18 election the winner.
Governor Yusuf is of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP.
The peace of the graveyard that existed in the state was however upturned following suggestions that the Court of Appeal judgment had given victory to the governor.
Stating his position over the judgment, Femi Falana, a senior advocate said the certified true copy of the judgment released by the court indicates that the incumbent was declared winner.
The Court of Appeal has since maintained that it stands by its judgment which nullified the election of Governor Yusuf.
The Chief Registrar of the Court, Umar Bangari, told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that the controversy was the result of a clerical error.
The different interpretations of the judgment led to violence in the commercial state on Wednesday, as supporters of the governor and NNPP took to the streets in protest, despite the warning by the state police command that barred people from protesting.
The Command however said some protesters have been arrested following the breach of peace yesterday.
According to the State Police Commissioner, Hussaini Gumel, seven protesters have been arrested so far. The seven people, he explained were arrested around Kano Line while heading towards State House Road.
Gumel said, “We have succeeded in stopping the protesters and we have arrested seven of them.
“We have deployed armed policemen in the area; we have since commenced an intensive investigation and we will update you in due course.”
He warned against further violence in the state, urging residents to go about their lawful duty.
He stated: “I am appealing to residents not to hesitate to report to the nearest security outfit any person or group of people engaging in any form of protest in and outside the metropolis for prompt action.”
Meanwhile, the state government said on Wednesday that it has appealed the judgment.
