Boniface Aniebonam, the founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has said that the party is not behind allegations accusing the federal government of instigating crisis in Kano, News About Nigeria reports.
Speaking in an interview with NAN on Thursday in Lagos, Aniebonam said that the comments of Rabiu Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 election, were his personal opinion.
Recall that on Monday, Kwankwaso accused the federal government of compromising security in Kano.
Kwankwaso said the people of Kano would resist any attempt to undermine the constituted authority in the state.
In May, the Kano assembly repealed the law which was used to unseat Sanusi as emir of the state.
Since the reinstatement of Sanusi as emir of Kano, the state has been in a tensed situation after Aminu Bayero, the dethroned emir, returned to the Nassarawa palace in the state.
The governor announced the reinstatement of Sanusi as emir after signing a new Kano Emirate Council Law
However, a federal high court in Kano ordered the state government not to enforce the Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024
After Bayero’s return, Abba Yusuf, Kano governor, ordered his arrest but a detachment of soldiers has been keeping watch over him.
Usaini Gumel, commissioner of police in Kano, said security agencies would obey the court order on Sanusi’s reinstatement.
Amid the controversy, Bayero’s supporters took to the streets to protest the dethronement.
The Kano government said the protests in some parts of the state were the handiwork of politicians who wanted to create chaos.
Speaking on Thursday, Aniebonam said the party’s position on the emirate tussle had been that it was not a political matter but an internal cultural matter concerning the people of Kano state.
Aniebonam said that the heavy and unfounded allegations against the federal government are condemnable as they could potentially trigger state crisis.
He said Kwankwaso has been expelled from the party, adding that he speaks for himself and not NNPP.
“Kwankwaso has long been expelled from NNPP and so, his allegations are personal and not the stand of our party,” Aniebonam said.
“We firmly believe that the federal government can wade into the matter if it may lead to loss of lives and property of citizens living in Kano state.
“But making such allegation without proof is in our estimation, tantamount to incitement and we totally disagree with that.
“As a political party that is peace-loving, we refuse to be dragged into the Emirate Tussle crisis despite being the ruling party in Kano state.
“We also will not be dragged into unsubstantiated allegations against the Federal Government.”
Aniebonam urged the governor to continue to maintain peace and respect in the state.
