Kano State police command has warned both the ruling party, New Nigeria People Party ( NNPP) and the opposition party, All Progressive Congress ( APC), to jettison the protest slated for Saturday, threatening to deal ruthlessly, with anybody caught in the course of any protest erupted in the state.
It will be recalled that both the NNPP and APC were said to have mobilised their supporters to organised protest on Saturday to express their views on the recent ruling of the Appeal Court in Abuja, which declared controversial judgments on the governorship election judgment.
However, the decision of both parties, since the announcement, has created apprehension in the minds of residents of the state on the premises that such a protest staged for the same day may cause untold hardship to the teeming masses of the state.
However, in a statement signed on behalf of State Commissioner of Police Mr Husaini Gumel, the Police Public Relation Officer(PPRO) SP. Haruna Kiyawa made available to the press on Friday; however, he confirmed the planned protest.
The statement reads:” Credible information at the Command’s disposal revealed that some groups of people claiming to be political party supporters of both NNPP and APC are using various media platforms and mobilizing people and planning to enter the streets on Saturday, 25th November 2023 to stage protest against the Kano State Governorship Appeal Court’s verdict.”
He added ” The information further revealed that the intention of the protesters is to shutdown the State and attack prominent political party opponents; the action which may likely result in violence.”
” At this juncture, the police command is making it categorically clear that as no formal notice was received from any of these political party about the plan to conduct any protest or gathering,”
” The Police Command is issuing this warning to all residents of the State to be extra careful as whoever intends to conduct any protest or procession should do so only in accordance with the provisions of the law.”
“Furthermore, the position of the law is very clear, whoever attempts to disrupt the peace in the State will be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.” The statement said
“You will all recall that before and after the Kano State Governorship Court of Appeal ruling, the leaderships of both NNPP and APC had attended and signed accord among themselves before the Kano State Police Command where both buttressed their stand of working with the security agencies for the promotion of sustainable peace. “
He, therefore, stated that “in view of the above, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Police Command, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc calls on all residents to maintain calmness and avoid any form of unlawful gathering, protest, or procession that may trigger violence as joint security forces have since been dispatched to strategic locations to safeguard peace and order throughout the State.
It will be recalled that an association under the auspices of a Concerned Yoruba Community in Kano has called on notable traditional rulers in the country to intervene in the Kano political logjam.
Making the call on Thursday in Kano, while addressing a press conference, the CYCJ Secretary General, Comrade Taofeek Olalekan Olaosebikon, said, ” we have called to address some crucial issues as they affect us to the prevailing political situation in Kano since the Appeal Court sacked the government.
In this regard, we are using this platform to call on all Yoruba Obas and thought leaders to wade into the Kano situation without further delay by engaging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a possible political settlement of the Kano logjam
