The political climate in Kano State has remained tense ahead of the commencement of the probe into the administration of immediate past governor of the state and national chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Ganduje.
The probe, which is also poised to investigate activities of his immediate family, has increased the trading of barbs between supporters of the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Checks by LEADERSHIP reveal that formal summons extended to the former two term governor, his wife and six others by a Kano state High Court last Tuesday over allegations of financial impropriety while in office, further heightened tension in the state.
However, the Police, in an exclusive chat with LEADERSHIP, assured that the city is safe for all citizens.
The NNPP-led administration in the state had last week set up a commission of Inquiry to probe Ganduje’s eight-years tenure, and a litigation over alleged abuse of office.
The impending litigation dominated political discussion on local radio stations and the social media.
Residents who spoke to LEADERSHIP on the development expressed apprehension that the controversial over probe might lead to a security breach against the backdrop of the deep-seated animosity between the feuding parties.
A resident of Hotoro, Yakubu Isa, said, “I think the timing, and every other time isn’t the best to instigate a political war against one another, afterall, the religion is against probe”.
Tanimu Auwalu of Rijiyallemo, on his part, urged the governor to focus on governance, adding, “Government should preoccupy itself with the execution of blueprints instead of the needless war on political opponents.”
Hajiya Ayi isa Dosa, on her part, appealed to Governor Yusuf to resist all forms of distraction because time is not on his side.
She stressed that “voters will be swayed by the level of infrastructure on ground than what Ganduje has done wrong”.
Garba Kore, an APC stalwart, while granting a radio interview in Kano said the governor’s action isn’t in good faith.
Kore accused the governor of “Fighting a proxy war against a former governor,” stressing, “In the interest of equity and fairness, let them extend the Dr. Ganduje probe to cover his tenure as Kwankwaso’s deputy.”
Another APC chieftain, Alhaji Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, said, “Let it be known to Governor Yusuf, that who is living inside a glass house shouldn’t throw stones, because the stone may eventually hit him”.
However, in its official reaction on the unfolding saga, the chairman of APC in Kano State, Abdullahi Abbas, said as much as “The party will continue to be law abiding, it will not, however, condone witch-hunt, political victimisation and persecution.”
Reacting also, the Police in Kano State assured “the city is safe, and we will continue to make it safe for dwellers”.
The Commissioner of Police, Ussaini Gumel, in a telephone chat, said the “Police didn’t prepare charges against the former governor,” adding “In other words, “we are out of it.”
He said, “The state government should speak on it, and I think the attorney-general is in a good stead to speak. But, however, the city is safe for the citizens.”
