A fresh political storm has erupted in Kano following the state government’s call for the arrest of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin over allegations of incitement and plans to establish a 12,000-man religious security outfit known as Khairul Nas.
The government accused both leaders of making statements capable of provoking unrest and undermining ongoing security operations. Ganduje and Jibrin, however, dismissed the claims, branding the call for their arrest as reckless.
Briefing reporters after the State Executive Council meeting late Friday, Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, said the government viewed the utterances of the two political leaders as dangerous.
He said, “The council deliberated extensively over the recent inflammatory statements made by a former Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the Deputy Senate President Barau I Jibrin, who alleged that the state is vulnerable to banditry and further announced plans to recruit 12,000 individuals under a proposed religious police outfit named Khairul Nas.
“The utterances were inciting, reckless, and capable of undermining the security efforts of Kano State Government and the President Tinubu led administration, which demonstrated genuine concern for the plight of its citizens and had continued to work tirelessly to safeguard their lives and properties across the nation.
“Accordingly, the council expressed its appreciation to the Federal Government and security agencies for their ongoing support in the fight against the insecurity and therefore called for the immediate investigation and arrest of the former governor for attempting to create an illegal militia group.”
The government further linked the statements to a security breach shortly after the remarks were made, adding, “Less than 48 hours after the statements, suspected bandits infiltrated some border communities in the state, raising concerns that the remarks might have been premeditated or linked to the assault.”
Ganduje Fires Back
Reacting through his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
He said, “The call for my arrest is reckless, baseless, and a clear reflection of the Kano state governor’s desperation and incompetent.”
The former governor accused the Abba Yusuf-led administration of neglecting its primary duty to protect lives and property.
He added, “It is deeply unfortunate that rather than addressing the escalating insecurity ravaging the state, Governor Yusuf has chosen to chase shadows while searching for scapegoats to conceal his glaring failures.”
Ganduje also faulted the governor’s alleged lack of empathy for affected communities.
“At a time when communities such as Bagwai, Shanono, and Tsanyawa, other affected areas are living in fear, the governor has neither visited nor shown empathy toward the victims.
His continued absence in moments that require leadership speaks volumes of his disconnect from the people he claims to serve,” he added.
The former governor maintained that his administration kept Kano safe for eight years and urged his successor to focus on service delivery rather than issuing “frivolous statements.”
Barau Denies Allegations
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin also issued a strong rebuttal, rejecting the claims in a statement released by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir.
The statement read, “The attention of the media office of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, CFR, FCNA, has been drawn to false, reckless and malicious claims by the Kano State Government through the state Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya that His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Senate, made a statement capable of undermining the security efforts in the state.
“It is unfortunate that the state government has relegated governance to this low by concocting and fabricating lies to tarnish the growing reputation of the Deputy President of the Senate.
“There was no time when Senator Barau uttered any statement capable of undermining security efforts; instead, he has been at the forefront, collaborating with all stakeholders to address the insecurity challenges in parts of Kano and other areas in the country.”
Challenging the government to provide evidence, the statement added, “We challenge them to produce the clip in which the Deputy President of the Senate made any statement that could undermine security efforts.”
Barau urged Governor Yusuf to redirect his energy to governance rather than political distractions.
“Until governance was relegated to the background, our beloved state, Kano, used to be a very close second to Lagos in terms of prosperity, but unfortunately, misgovernance has eroded this.
We have everything necessary to restore the glorious days of our state, but the governor is not taking steps in that direction,” he said.
The statement highlighted Barau’s support for security agencies, including donations of vehicles and motorcycles, rehabilitation of police infrastructure, support for the DSS, and facilitation of security training institutions.
“The state government should emulate him and not cast aspersions on his personality,” the statement concluded.