Heavy Security in Kano as APC, NNPP Shelve Rally, Protest

There is a presence of heavy security across the metropolis of Kano State yesterday owing to the planned rally and protest by the supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the state.

However, it was gathered that the two political parties and their supporters had shelved their agenda as no one could be sighted on the streets for the protest.

Stakeholders of the APC and those of the NNPP had set yesterday for a mega rally and protest respectively following the judgment of the Appeal Court which sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and declared the candidate of the APC, Dr. Nasir Yusuf Gawuna as the winner of the March 18 election in the state.

The Director-General of the Gawuna/Garo Campaign Organisation, Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, who led other stakeholders consisting of members of the Kano State House of Assembly, former commissioners, ex-special advisers and other stalwarts of the APC in the state said while the NNPP would be staging a mass protest in Kano on Saturday, the APC would organise a mass rally same day.

The leadership of the NNPP in the state had earlier denied plans for any protest, according to the state Chairman, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, but some groups of supporters stood by it.

The police command in Kano had also warned against any attempt by any person or group of persons to stage any public procession, protest, as well as a rally. Moreso, the police advised all parties to sheath their swords.

It was observed that while there are security operatives stationed around strategic locations in the state, especially the metropolis, others are roving around major streets.

Speaking, an aide to Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna of the APC, Mansur Haruna Dandago said they have shelved the plan looking at the issues of security of properties and lives that are at stake.

“We are law-abiding citizens and we want peace that’s why our leaders asked us to keep off and wait for the right time. The day Gawuna is coming to take charge of affairs is coming and we shall hold a mass rally then.

“We won the election and of course, the judiciary has proven to the world that it has done its part. Gawuna is the eligible governor of Kano state and there is nothing anyone can do about it.”

Also, Abubakar Moriki of the NNPP in Tarauni Local Government Area told Daily Trust that leaders of the party have directed them to put a halt to the exercise and remain calm.

“Our leaders have asked us to stop, be calm and be law-abiding. We don’t want anything to go wrong despite the world knowing what they are trying to do to us.

“They said rather than a drop of blood or loss of life and property to occur, it is better the government be taken away from us. We are no longer going out.”

Recall that there is serious tension building up in the state since the appeal court on Wednesday insisted that Governor Yusuf was sacked, following controversies that trailed the release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment which indicated in one part that Yusuf had won the appeal.