Former Kano State Governor and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, urging it to refrain from interfering in Kano State’s internal matters.
Kwankwaso’s comments follow a contentious “terror alert” issued by the Kano State Police Command prior to the Maulud celebration honoring Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass, spiritual leader of the Tijjaniyya Sufi Order.
In a statement shared on his official X handle, Kwankwaso congratulated the Tijjaniyya Sufi Order, Emir of Kano Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for organizing a successful event at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.
However, he criticized the police alert as “reckless and unprofessional,” accusing it of inciting unnecessary fear and endangering both local and international attendees.
“This alert not only jeopardized the success of the gathering but also put lives at risk by creating palpable fear. It reflects poorly on the professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force and raises questions about their impartiality,” Kwankwaso stated.
The former governor accused the Federal Government of a consistent pattern of meddling in Kano’s affairs, warning that such actions set a dangerous precedent.
“False threat alerts make it less likely for people to take genuine warnings seriously in the future. The conduct of the police leadership in Kano casts a negative light on the Nigeria Police Force globally,” he said.
Kwankwaso called for a renewed commitment to professionalism within the police and urged the Federal Government to respect Kano’s autonomy.
“For the umpteenth time, I urge the Federal Government to avoid dragging itself into unpleasant situations by further meddling in affairs strictly under the jurisdiction of Kano State,” he concluded.
The statement underscores rising tensions between Kwankwaso’s NNPP-led Kano State and the Federal Government, with implications for broader federal-state relations in Nigeria.