The ongoing dispute over the Kano State governorship election between incumbent Governor Abba Yusuf and All Progressives Congress candidate Dr. Yusuf Nasir Gawuna has taken a new turn, with over 500 lawyers expressing their commitment to support Gawuna at the Supreme Court.

The lawyers, united under the platform “The Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law,” made the announcement during a press briefing in Abuja. This development comes in response to the earlier declaration by 200 lawyers offering voluntary legal services to Governor Abba Yusuf in his appeal before the Supreme Court.

Speaking on behalf of the platform, Barrister Joseph E. Onwudiwe raised concerns about what they perceived as a deliberate attempt to manipulate the judiciary to favor the New Nigerian People’s Party.

In addressing the clerical error controversy surrounding the Certified True Copy of the Court of Appeal’s judgment affirming Gawuna’s victory, Onwudiwe emphasized that mistakes in such documents were not uncommon.

He urged the NNPP to exercise patience and await the final verdict of the Supreme Court on its pending appeal.

“The importance of the judiciary in keeping our democracy alive and thriving can never be overemphasized. We implore the Supreme Court to dispense justice in this appeal without succumbing to distractions and attempts at blackmail,” stated Onwudiwe.

The lawyers expressed their unwavering support for the judiciary and emphasized the need to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy from electoral fraud.

They called on peace-loving Nigerians to defend democracy and warned against actions that could threaten the democratic process.

Onwudiwe stated, “In defense of democracy and the authentic winner of the March 18 Kano gubernatorial election, Gawuna, we, the over 500 lawyers from across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, have decided to join the defense team of Gawuna at the Supreme Court.”