NHRC, CSO condemn ‘killing’ at Kano APC primary

Coalition tasks FG, stakeholders on electoral violence

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF) have condemned the political crisis that erupted during last Saturday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Kano State.

Besides, the commission and CSO have constituted a joint public hearing committee to probe the violence that ensued during the primary at Sani Abacha Indoor Sports Hall, Kano.

At a press briefing in Kano, the State Coordinator of NHRC, Shehu Abdullahi, said the commission was uncomfortable with the aftermath of the primaries in which human life was reportedly devalued.

Shehu noted that NHRC and KCSF received series of complaints from members of the public on the alleged murder of three persons at the APC primaries, adding that they would not sit and watch Kano explode in political crisis.

The NHRC explained that the magnitude of the allegation made the joint forum resolve to constitute a joint public hearing committee, as avenue for the public to submit written and/or oral evidence to substantiate the allegation.

President of the forum, Ibrahim Waiya, emphasised the resolution of the joint forum that the committee was entrusted to collate reports and evidence, which would be submitted to relevant authorities for discreet investigation, arrest and prosecution of anyone found culpable.

Waiya insisted that NHRC and CSO resolved to follow up subsequent investigation to the logical conclusion until justice is served.

MEANWHILE, the Coalition of Democracy Monitors for Credible Elections (CDMCE) has asked the Federal Government and stakeholders to evolve ways of tackling electoral violence and thuggery during the 2023 general elections.

It also condemned the use of sponsored thugs and weapons during the APC governorship primary election in Kano. At a press briefing in Abuja, yesterday, the Convener of CDMCE, Balarabe Rufai, said the Kano APC primary revealed that some politicians could use violence to win elections.

He called on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies to investigate the cases of political violence on gubernatorial aspirant, Sha’aban Sharada, and his supporters at the APC primary in Kano.

Rufai said: “As concerned citizens of Nigeria and representatives of the emasculated younger generation, we are particularly worried about the reported brutality on a gubernatorial aspirant, Sha’aban Sharada, and his supporters at the APC primary election in Kano.

“More disturbing is the allegation that some of the youths that supported the young contestant were fatally attacked by hired mob resulting in the death of some. We are concerned because Sharada happens to be the only young man with the courage to challenge Dr. Nasiru Gawuna, the anointed candidate of the governor,” he said.