The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government of making plans to make Kano state ungovernable.
According to the party, the APC is already planning to cause violence on a scale that would lead to the declaration of a state of emergency in Kano with the emirship tussle at hand.
The party in a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, on Wednesday, alleged that since losing the 2023 governorship election in the state, the governing APC has “been using every foul means to come to power in Kano even though the good people of Kano State rejected them at the polls.”
It also said that Justice Lima of the Kano High Court erred by entertaining a matter already before an appellate court.
The party said, “Ever since the great loss at the Supreme Court, the APC has never hidden their vow to make Kano State ungovernable for the rightful winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf.
“Unfortunately, the recent amendment of the Kano State Emirate Council law which passed normal rudiments of constitutional provisions has become a tool for APC to want to set the state on fire, using a section of the judiciary.
“Nigerians would recall the position of the Kano State government on the issue leading to the dethronement of the former Emir, Ado Bayero, and the reinstatement of Emir Muhammad Sanusi II.
“You’ll also recall the associated developments with particular reference to how the former Emir was brought to Kano with full military and police security and has since been stationed in Kano looking after the deposed Emir.
“We believe that this is an open demonstration of abuse of power and illegality. It is clearly an affront on the constitution and a threat to peace and orderly public conduct because such open display of naked power is capable of inciting the people who may feel incensed by the actions of powers behind the charade going on in Kano as an act of gangsterism.
“Some power drunk elements are deliberately out to cause disorder and make Kano ungovernable for a selfish political objective. We are aware of this. So the call by APC State Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, for the arrest of Kwankwaso was irresponsible without addressing his concern that the invasion of Kano with full military in support of Ado Bayero, a deposed emir, was a greater threat to peace in Kano.
“Also Abba’s remark that Kwankwaso is leading a cult-like Kwankwasiyya is nothing new, he only re-echoed the same line of their tribunal-lawyer and the similarity of thought is understandable. Of course, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is a statesman and patriot.
“Nigerians should realise that the unfolding development in Kano is rooted in politics which is a dangerous thing to cultivate amidst the numerous challenges confronting the Federal Government, particularly on the issue of security of lives and property.
“The suffocating economy, terrorism and insurgency, kidnapping and the daily blood-letting by criminal gangs across the country, we believe, should be major concerns of the Federal Government rather than dabbling into chieftaincy matters in Kano as a political weapon ahead 2027.
“The truth is that losing Kano to the NNPP still rankles the new opposition in the state but the people’s will should be respected as a democratic enterprise.
“After celebrating 25 years of democracy, Nigerians expect that we won’t be contending with actions detrimental to peace and democratic ideals reminiscent of military dictatorship as we now see in Kano.
“The affront on the constitution is at the heart of this matter and it is regrettable. We can only hope that reason will prevail.”
