By Miftaudeen Raji 

The Kano state gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, Engr. Abba K Yusuf said the police are to be blamed for the increasing spate of political violence in the state.

The candidate disclosed this at the Kano Peace Summit organised by the State Police Command in partnership with AMG Foundation and other civil society organisations under the auspices of G31.

Read also: Kano NNPP gov candidate Abba Yusuf decries political violence, attack on supporters

In a statement signed by his spokesperson Sanusi Bature Tofa, Yusuf said the opposition parties in Kano are united against any form of intimidation and blackmail by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Yusuf accused APC of using the incumbency factor to allegedly victimize selected members of the opposition party.

According to Yusuf, frequent violent attacks have been orchestrated under the watch of the Hatate APC Chairman Abdullahi Abbas and his son Sani Abdullahi Abbas AKA (Ochi).

The NNPP Gubernatorial Candidate further suggested that unless the police and other security agencies are ready to conduct their duly professionally with utmost fairness and objectivity, the people of Kano should be allowed to explore the means of self-defense as provided by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We have seen how some police officers aided and abetted violent attacks by the APC political thugs, my entourage was attacked and our family house in Chiranchi quarters of Gwale Local Government was also attacked, despite several written complaints, no action was taken till date.”

Abba Gida Gida also assured his commitment and that of his party, the NNPP to give maximum cooperation for the conduct of free, fair, credible, and of course peaceful elections in 2023 if thesecurity and the electoralumpire remain unbiased.

In a swift response, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command CP Mamman Dauda reiterated his readiness to work with all stakeholders in ensuring peaceful coexistence before, during, and after the elections.

While making a closing remark on behalf of the Civil Society partners, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, who is also the founder of AMG Foundation confirmed their commitment to promoting peace and security throughout the election process.