2023: Ganduje expresses worry over rising political thuggery in APC, warns overzealous aspirants

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has expressed worried over the brewing wave of violence rocking the All Progressive Congress (APC), threatening to deal with any person who attempts to embarrass the party henceforth.

Besides, Ganduje issued an immediate suspension of political campaign and campaign posters, banners of ‘overzealous’ aspirants already unveiling their governorship ambition two years to the expiration of his tenure.

Addressing APC members during an empowerment programme organised by the senator representing Kano North Senatorial District, Barau Jibril, at the Government house, the governor regretted the renewed political thuggery in the party.

Ganduje, who was apparently referring to the recent clash between loyalists of Senator Barau Jibril and that of Commissioner for Local Government, Murtala Sule Garo, during the flag-off of 83km dualisation of Kano-Gwarzo/Dayi highway where many said to have sustained degrees of cuts, insisted that political violence would not be tolerated.

He specifically warned those among top party members found of renting thugs and arming them with dangerous weapons to attack their supposed opponents to desist or prepare to bear the consequence.

Ganduje declared: “We will not accept this and I assure you all that, I will deal with any politician that violates this warning

“Our politics in Kano is that of good reasoning and knowledge, a politics with focus and good agenda and not that of irresponsibility and madness.

“We assure you that we know the aspirants more than you all do. Whoever among the politicians that rent thugs and arms them with dangerous weapons to display posters other than those permitted, make them high on drugs and weed will face the consequences.

“I hope this is clear? Any politician that comes around to embarrass us in the presence of our august visitors, I assure you all that it will not be tolerated.”

While reminding the politicians of series of events to line up to commemorate the June 12 celebration,
Ganduje reiterated the ban on political rallies and campaigns.

He said: “I hereby wish to inform you all that we are going to commemorate Democracy Day on Saturday with major events that will witness the presence of the APC National chairman, the Yobe state governor, and other leaders in the state.

“As a result of this, the party is announcing a total ban on all forms of the campaign for any politician during the said event. Wielding dangerous weapons is banned at the event. I will personally order the arrest and prosecution of anyone that will be caught wielding weapons at the event. Whosoever brings cutlasses, knives or sticks to the event will be arrested and dealt with.

“We have since instructed all the local council chairmen in the state to ensure that all vehicles coming to the event from their wards are not carrying any forms of weapons on them. They should ensure that no posters of politicians are displayed to allow for a rivalry that will lead to violent attacks on people with dangerous weapons.”

In a statement issued in the Hausa language by his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, Ganduje outlawed all form of political posters, except that of President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC chairman, the Governor of Yobe State Mai Mala Buni and that of his own.