By Garba Abdullahi Bagwai in Kano
The Kano State Government has dismissed allegations that it is intimidating, harassing or threatening members of opposition political parties in the state, saying it is focused on delivering development projects and improving the welfare of residents.
The government’s reaction followed allegations by members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano that some of their members had allegedly been intimidated, harassed and threatened with arrest by security agencies whenever they expressed views critical of the government.
Speaking to Citizenship Daily on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor on publicity, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Aruwa, described the allegations as unverified and untrue.
Aruwa said the government was preoccupied with providing potable water, constructing roads, fighting drug abuse and strengthening security across the state, among other responsibilities.
He said the government had no time or intention to use its powers to harass or prosecute opposition members because of their political activities.
“It is unjustified to blame the government when an individual decides to take legal action against someone accused of making derogatory remarks against him. Such a person has the right to seek legal redress in accordance with the law.
“But the government has no hand in, or intention of using its powers to prosecute the opposition,” he said.
The Special Adviser also said the opposition parties in the state were not yet sufficiently stabilised ahead of the 2027 elections.
He specifically mentioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the NDC, saying both parties were facing internal and legal challenges.
According to him, the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains the dominant political party in the state.
The government’s response came after the Kwankwasiyya Movement of the NDC in Kano State vowed to pursue legal and institutional remedies over what it described as the alleged arrest, detention, intimidation and harassment of critics of the state government.
The spokesperson of the movement, Dr Habibu Saleh Mohammed Mai Lemo, who is also an NDC aspirant for the Kano State House of Assembly representing Fagge Constituency, stated this in a statement made available to journalists on Monday.
The movement also commended Amnesty International for raising concerns over what it described as the shrinking of democratic space in the state.
The group alleged that some of its members and supporters had been subjected to arrest and intimidation because of their political views and criticism of the government.
It listed those allegedly affected as Abba Ibrahim Kofar Nasarawa, popularly known as Aisha K. Nasarawa; Murtala Muhammad Dawanau; Fatima Dayyabu; Maryam Usman, also known as Golden Queen, Muhammad Ahmad; Hafsat Muhammad Sauwama; Khadija Garba, Ismail Hassan Hussain Lajin Dala,and Isa Zanna Isa.
The movement also said Amnesty International had raised concerns over alleged threats and intimidation against Zaidu Magaji.
It expressed particular concern over the continued detention of Aisha K. Nasarawa, whom it said had been in custody since August.
According to the statement, Aisha was arrested and brought before the Sharia Court, Ungogo Division, where an initial application for bail was refused before bail was subsequently granted subject to certain conditions.
The movement claimed that one of the bail conditions required two serving permanent secretaries and an employee of the state government to stand as sureties.
It said Aisha remained in detention because she had been unable to meet the bail conditions.
Mohammed said the movement had petitioned the Chief Judge of Kano State and the Kano State Judicial Service Commission over the conduct and circumstances surrounding the proceedings.
He said the petition was aimed at seeking review and accountability through lawful institutions.
“Kwankwasiyya will not respond to intimidation with violence. We will not encourage our members to take the law into their own hands,” Mohammed said.
He added that the movement would continue to use petitions, complaints, legal representation, judicial review and other constitutional remedies to defend the rights of its members and other citizens.
The group urged the state government, security agencies and relevant institutions to respect citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and association.
It also called for an impartial review of cases involving persons allegedly detained or prosecuted in connection with political expression.
The movement further urged the judiciary to protect its independence and ensure fair treatment for all citizens appearing before the courts.
