Supporters of Kano APC and NNPP gear up for protest, Tension rose in Kano city on Friday as supporters of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) vowed to proceed with their planned protests on Saturday, defying warnings from the state police command.
The separate protests are both in response to the Court of Appeal ruling, which affirmed the governorship election petitions tribunal’s judgment that removed Governor Abba Yusuf of the NNPP.
NNPP supporters are protesting against the appellate court’s judgment, citing a conflicting written judgment that initially affirmed Yusuf as the duly elected governor. However, the court clarified that the removal of the governor was valid, considering the conflicting written judgment was a clerical error.
Meanwhile, APC supporters insist on their planned protest in support of the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna.
However, the state police command issued a warning, saying that it would not tolerate any unapproved protest that had the potential to turn violent. It also threatened to take severe action against those who organized such protests and anybody else found to be inciting unrest.
The Kano State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna, issued a warning on Friday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Husaini Gumel. The statement revealed credible information indicating that groups claiming to be supporters of the NNPP and APC were mobilizing for protests against the Kano State governorship Appeal Court’s verdict.
The protesters, according to the information, intended to take to the streets on Saturday, November 25, 2023, potentially causing the shutdown of the state and engaging in violence, including attacks on prominent political opponents.
The Kano State Police Command emphasized that no formal notice had been received from any political party regarding plans for protests or gatherings. SP Abdullahi Haruna, the Police Public Relations Officer, reiterated that the police command was issuing a warning to all residents to exercise caution, emphasizing that any protest or procession should comply with the law.
He pointed out that the law was clear, and anyone attempting to disrupt the peace in the state would be arrested and face legal consequences. Haruna recalled that both the NNPP and APC had participated in a peace meeting before and after the Court of Appeal ruling, where they committed to working with security agencies to promote sustainable peace.
The Kano State Police Command emphasized that no formal notice had been received from any political party regarding plans for protests or gatherings. SP Abdullahi Haruna, the Police Public Relations Officer, reiterated that the police command was issuing a warning to all residents to exercise caution, emphasizing that any protest or procession should comply with the law.
He pointed out that the law was clear, and anyone attempting to disrupt the peace in the state would be arrested and face legal consequences. Haruna recalled that both the NNPP and APC had participated in a peace meeting before and after the Court of Appeal ruling, where they committed to working with security agencies to promote sustainable peace.
“In light of the above, Commissioner of Police Mohammed Usaini Gumel of the Kano State Police Command urges all residents to remain calm and refrain from any form of unlawful gathering, protest, or procession that could incite violence. Joint security forces have been deployed to strategic locations to ensure the preservation of peace and order throughout the state.”
When questioned about the potential protests by both the APC and the NNPP, the Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, attributed the threat to the opposition, asserting that the protest was primarily organized by the opposition to undermine the government. He suggested that the opposition aims to incite a breach of the peace through the protest. Dantiye expressed satisfaction with the state government’s call for security agencies to safeguard the lives and property of the people. He emphasized that the governor urged the citizens of Kano to stay calm and trust in the country’s judicial process.
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