By Ibrahim Sha’aban
Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Senator representing Kano Central, on Monday, suspended his earlier scheduled visit to Kano amid controversy and security concerns.
Speaking through a former Secretary to Kano State Government, Rabi’u Bichi, Mr Kwankwaso said the cancellation followed series of consultations and advice from well-meaning Nigerians.
However, according to an insider source, the cancelation option was explored when the former Kano state governor was summoned to the Aso Rock Villa for a high-level meeting with the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Indicators have shown that the summon may not be unconnected with the security concerns his visit has raised, one of it is a possible clash with supporters of the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
More so, it could be recalled that on Friday, the Kano Police Command advised Mr Kwankwaso to stop his planned visit to Kano.
In a press conference, the state police commissioner, Rabiu Yusuf, said although Mr Kwankwaso had right to visit the state, “credible information at the disposal of the Command” revealed that there are security concerns.
However, Mr Kwankwaso had vowed to visit the state on January 30, saying the state commissioner of Police should be held responsible if anything happens to him during his proposed visit.
Speaking through a former Secretary to the State Government, Rabiu Bichi, on Saturday, Mr Kwankwaso said the police commissioner has been compromised by the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
He said two commissioners in the Ganduje-led administration, and a self-acclaimed campaigner of President Muhammadu Buhari, Danbilki Kwamanda respectively vowed to stop Mr Kwankwaso from visiting the state.
“On December 16, 2017, and January 15 of this year, Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, was on air and publicly declared on Radio Express 90.1 FM and Pyramid Radio FM 103.5, that they will never allow senator Kwankwaso to come, and he gave notice that whichever day he chooses to come, they will arrange a political programme to counter his visit.
“In another choreographed pattern, Abdulmajid Dan-bilki Kwamanda was on Radio Aminci in Kano on and FRCN Kaduna declared that Sen. Kwankwaso will be arrested if he goes ahead with the visit.
“He unashamedly declared that they will set government machinery to go after him, ostensibly to tarnish his image and reputation. All these are on record.
“The most dangerous threat came from the newly appointed Commissioner for Special Duties, Abdullahi Abbas, on January 15.
“He was caught on video that has gone viral on social media, directing his followers to stone “political Satan of Kano” if he comes to Kano.
“So also he said they will attack him even in his bedroom at Gandun Albasa. In the same video he equally confessed that he planned and executed the attacks on innocent civilians during the State.
Assembly Bye-election in Minjibir, and the attack on Kwankwasiyya members during the Hawan Daushe on Eid-elkabir, on September 2, 2017 at the emir’s palace.
“The foregoing clearly shows that they are not only after stopping Kwankwaso from visiting Kano, but his life,” he alleged.
He said over 70 days ago, the public and relevant authorities were informed of his visit, but to his astonishment, the commissioner of police advised him to shelve the proposed visit to the state, citing security reasons.
“From the above statement, it is clear that the commissioner of police knows those planning the violent mayhem and is in position to neutralize, arrest and prosecute them unless of course of they are considered to be above the law.
“On receiving the letter from the CP, the distinguished Senator responded the following day 24th and reminded him of his responsibility as chief law enforcement officer of Kano State. The letter was copied to and received by the office of the AIG of Police Zone 1in Kano.
“Rabiu Yusuf to whom the letter was addressed refused to receive the letter and instructed his personnel not to either. This clearly confirms our long held convictions that CP Rabiu is biased and partisan in favor of the Gandujiya.
“And it is on record that we have written several petitions on his demeanor and his unprofessional conduct was even tabled before the House of Representatives last year.
“Finally, it is instructive to say that should anything happen to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso or any of his supporters during the visit, the Kano state commissioner of Police should be held responsible for dereliction of his responsibility” he added.
He reiterated that he is coming to Kano, saying based on the preparations on ground his visit to see friends and families as well as teeming supporters would be peaceful
