TENSION IN KANO, DEADLY-LOOKING SOLDIERS, HEAVILY ARMED MOPOL TAKE STRATEGIC POSITIONS AS INEC READY TO ANNOUNCE WINNER OF GUBER POLL

Earlier, we told you how some supporters of opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) took to the street to celebrate the early lead of their party in Saturday’s March 9, 2019, gubernatorial and house of assembly elections even though the INEC was yet to officially announce the overall winner of the election.

In another report by The Punch, security has been beefed up around the Kano State Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Heavily armed soldiers and mopol officers are said to have taken strategic positions in and around INEC headquarters in the state capital.

This is sequel to preparations towards the commencement of the collation and return of results of Saturday’s governorship elections from the 44 local government areas of the state.

Our correspondent who is currently at the Collation Centre reports that armed soldiers have taken up positions along all major entry and exit points around the INEC headquarters.

Party agents and representatives of the media are already seated waiting for electoral officials to begin the exercise.

The state police command and sister security agencies patrolled the streets of the ancient city in a show of force earlier in the day.

It was learnt that the patrol was meant to send a note of warning to would-be trouble makers of the readiness of security officials to deal with situations as they arise.

Recalled that INEC told the general public to disregard the figure being circulated on the social media shortly after the election was concluded on Saturday.

Even as Kano people and the entire Aso Rock are awaiting the outcome of the election, the Kano State governor Abdullahi Umar boastfully said he’s confident of winning the gubernatorial election with wide margin.

READ ALSO: Governorship Election 2019: Ganduje’s supporters go into “hiding” as PDP supporters flood the streets of Kano jubilating early massive lead

“I’m sure of victory and in fact I am sure I will get more votes than what Mr President got during the presidential election in Kano,” Ganduje was quoted by The Guardian.

“I’m sure of victory and in fact I am sure I will get more votes than what Mr President got during the presidential election in Kano,” he added.

Ganduje expressed the hope of victory shortly after casting his ballot at his 003 Ganduje primary school PU, Ganduje ward in Dawakin Tofa local government area at exactly 10.30am.  Ganduje who voted along his wife Hajia Hafsat Umar Ganduje.

Although, Ganduje had asked eligible voters to cast their ballots to the best governorship candidate however he solicited their votes for himself and all candidates of All Progressives Candidates (APC) contesting for the state house of assembly.

“I will encourage Kano people to vote the best candidate but as a Governor, I will ask them to vote for me and all APC candidates for the state house of assembly,” Ganduje said.

The Governor said he was satisfied with the large turn out of eligible voters especially the women who had sacrificed their domestic responsibility to exercise the franchise.

Ganduje while applauded presence of security stressed that INEC staff arrived the polling unit in good time.

54 gubernatorial candidates are vying against Ganduje. Prominent among them include PDP candidate Abba Kaburi Yusuf and Salihu Sagir Takai of the PRP.