The Kano State Government has issued a strong call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This demand stems from alleged inflammatory comments made by Ganduje concerning the security situation within Kano State, which the state government claims are capable of heightening tension and undermining ongoing security efforts.

Dr. Ganduje had publicly asserted that Kano was becoming increasingly vulnerable to banditry. In response to this perceived threat, he disclosed plans to recruit 12,000 personnel to form a proposed religious police outfit, to be named Khairul Nas, with the stated aim of tackling recent attacks. Furthermore, he advised the current Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to adopt his past security strategies as a means to prevent the situation from escalating further.

Responding to these comments, Comrade Abdullahi Ibrahim Waiya, the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, briefed journalists on the resolutions passed during the 34th Executive Council Meeting. Waiya stated that the council viewed Ganduje’s remarks, alongside those made by Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin, as “inciting, reckless, and capable of undermining the security efforts of the Kano State Government and the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.” He emphasized that both the state and federal governments have demonstrated genuine concern for the security challenges facing citizens and are diligently working to safeguard lives and property.

Waiya expressed regret that Ganduje’s statements, rather than contributing positively, “worsened the situation” despite the government’s efforts to contain recent threats. He highlighted a concerning correlation, noting that less than 48 hours after Ganduje’s statement, suspected bandits infiltrated some border communities in the state, raising suspicions that the remarks might have been premeditated or directly linked to the subsequent assault.

In light of these developments, the Executive Council reaffirmed its appreciation to the Federal Government and security agencies for their continuous support in the fight against insecurity. Consequently, it called for an immediate investigation and the arrest of the former governor for allegedly attempting to create an illegal militia group. The government also urged all public figures to refrain from making statements that could incite unrest and reassured citizens of its unwavering commitment to maintaining peace, law, and order across the state.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from Ganduje’s former Chief of Staff and former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Mohammed Garba, proved unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or text messages by the time the report was filed.

This is not the first instance where Dr. Ganduje has been a subject of concern for the Kano State Government. In mid-October, criminal charges were filed against him and his children at the State High Court over the Dala Inland Dry Port Limited ownership scandal. The government alleged that Ganduje secretly transferred the state government’s 20 percent stake in the facility to private hands, effectively making his children co-owners of the company, before proceeding to award a contract worth over N4 billion for the project’s infrastructure.