By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Abdullahi Abbas, has demanded the arrest of Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
The APC Chairman’s call follows Kwankwaso’s claim that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is fostering a new breed of Boko Haram terrorists.
A statement issued on Tuesday by Abdullahi Abbas, in Kano, urged security agencies to detain Kwankwaso to identify those allegedly recruiting Boko Haram terrorists under the federal government’s direction.
“We want to call on security agents in the strongest terms to arrest this man so that he reveals the identity of the people he referred to as enemies of the state working for the federal government to recruit Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents,” the statement said.
It could be recalled that Kwankwaso’s allegations were made on Monday during a flag-off ceremony for the construction of an 85-kilometre rural road in his hometown, Madobi.
Abbas condemned these comments, suggesting they indicated a sinister plan by Kwankwaso to cause unrest in Kano.
“Kwankwaso has for long been a security threat to Kano and the nation in view of his antecedents,” Abbas said. He accused Kwankwaso of leading a cult-like movement and recruiting youths, mostly school dropouts, to perpetrate violence in the state.
The statement also recalled that before and during the 2023 election, numerous youths were allegedly recruited and empowered by Kwankwaso to intimidate the public through physical attacks and property destruction. Additionally, Abbas mentioned threats made by Kwankwaso and his associates against judges during the legal battle over the governorship election.
Since the controversial appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir, Abbas claimed that armed thugs have been stationed at the Emir’s Palace, where illicit substances are openly sold, posing a threat to nearby residents.
According to the statement, despite these accusations, Abbas emphasized that the federal government would not be intimidated by threats from Kwankwaso.