24hrs Curfew Paralyzes Economic Activities In Kano State
In response to the unrest that followed the governorship election petition tribunal’s decision, the government of Kano State on Wednesday evening ordered a dusk-to-dawn curfew between Wednesday and Thursday.
The tribunal ruled that Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had won the state’s March 18, 2022 governorship election, invalidating that of Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
The popular Sabon-Gari, Kwari, and Yankura marketplaces remained locked up, and The Guardian saw complete adherence to the directive.
Along with this, the city’s main thoroughfares were devoid of the usual vehicular traffic, and businesses including banks, schools, gas stations, and transportation hubs were closed. Additionally, it was noted that the curfew caused air traffic at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) to be suspended in the early hours of Wednesday.
Even though the city has been calm for the past 24 hours after the declaration, armed security personnel were nonetheless visible on major thoroughfares.
The governor has meantime asked the populace to maintain their composure and to avoid any temptation to impose their own rules.
He has instructed his legal counsel to file an appeal of the tribunal’s ruling in the interim, pointing out that the court’s ruling was only a temporary setback.
Related post:Tinubu’s First 100 Days: Nigerian Families Struggling
The governor, who spoke to the media late on Wednesday, claimed that the Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay-led panel’s decision was tainted by procedural errors and incorrect application of the law. He also said that the setback would not deter him from carrying out his mandate to advance social and economic development in the state.
Meanwhile, the state was peaceful yesterday as long as everyone followed the government’s curfew order.
Only vehicles carrying employees on special assignments were permitted to move, thus armed security agents were on the ground deployed to major roadways and other critical locations to ensure complete compliance.
Due to the timing of the announcement, many residents were obliged to eat any food that was available as a result of the curfew.
Residents who commented about the situation bemoaned the government’s choice in light of the dire economic condition.