Deputy gov apologises for accusing Ribadu
Former Director-General (DG) of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Salihu Lukman, has slammed President Bola Tinubu’s administration over his alleged interference in the Kano Emirate tussle.
However, the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam, has tendered an unresolved apology over the alleged interference of the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, in the crisis.
But the state government accused the former governor and National Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, of fuelling the controversy to create a chaotic situation in Kano.
Lukman in a piece entitled ‘Reckless Pointers of Political Suicide’ remarked that the unfolding events in Kano following the reinstatement of Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano by Governor Abba Yusuf was, to say the least, very alarming.
According to him, the way and manner politics is being played is not only recklessly insensitive to the dangers to human lives in Kano but frighteningly disgraceful and inconsiderate to whatever could be the choices of the Kano people.
The immediate past National Vice Chairman (North West) of APC argued: “The way things are, the action of the Federal Government in Kano State only lead to further destruction of the APC in the state and by extension in the whole North.”
If the alleged show of impunity in Kano is allowed to continue, he argued, Nigeria is gradually moving back to the dark ages of garrison politics under an APC-led government, which is envisioned to be progressive with President Tinubu, who was undisputedly a fighter for democracy.
He added: “If anything, it is the kind of abrasive politics that can only be associated with military governments or leaders with a military background. That it is being championed by an APC-led Federal Government is very shocking.
“Given that APC is a party envisioned to be progressive, what could have been the objective of such a reckless show of power?”
That the Federal Government is using its might because of the control it exercises over security agencies in a partisan manner to trample on the constitutional authority of the Kano government over traditional institutions highlights the crisis of impunity in the country.”
The APC chief wondered why Tinubu would approve such a reckless mission, which is incompatible with the founding vision of APC and every principle of democracy.
Lukman added: “If this had come from former President Olusegun Obasanjo or former President Muhammadu Buhari, given their military background, it would be understandable.
“As a member of APC from the North West, I am scandalised that my party has degenerated to a level below any democratic standard.”
THE deputy governor, while addressing journalists at the weekend, had accused the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ribadu, of abating the conveyance of Bayero to Kano two days after he was deposed.
Abdulsalam specifically accused the ONSA of providing two aircraft that brought Bayero to Kano on Saturday amid armed military protection.
Although ONSA challenged the deputy governor to substantive his claim with evidence or face litigation, the state government regretted the utterances and the attendant embarrassment.
Addressing journalists on Sunday evening, the deputy governor disclosed that the government was misled by intelligence to believe the “smuggling” of Bayero into Kano with tight military protection was directed by the NSA.
