2019 Polls: Political thuggery resurfaces in Kano

Yakubu Salisu, Kano

With just 4 days away to the much awaited 2019 Presidential elections and others, political atmosphere in the country no doubt, is already tensed. Politicians, parties and their supporters are eagerly waiting that Saturday, the day, political fates would be decided. While some retain their positions, others lose theirs. It is also a day to usher in new persons into the political arena. Looking at political events in the country, one would understand that all is not well except something is done urgently to arrest the situation. This danger is nothing but the return and re-awakening of political thuggery. There have been cases of violence associated with political activities in Kano in recent times either within same political parties’ factions attacking each other or armed supporters of such parties attacking their opponents. Whenever there is a political gathering, one would think it’s a war zone as 70% of those in attendance could be seen wielding dangerous weapons, and an avenue of trading and consuming all sorts of dangerous drugs. Hardly such a gathering ends without any form of violence and break down of law and order. The spate of attacks on residents by identified political thugs and clashes between such groups in recent times has become a thing of concern to many as those seeking for public offices are accused of unleashing thugs on their opponents, to some extent, the general public. With the recent being an attack on the residence of Abdullahi Abbas, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, and a reprisal attack on the house of Abba Kabiru Yusuf, the PDP governorship candidate where a complete building was raised down by fire from the APC thugs, over six persons allegedly lost their lives during these attacks with many more injured. Confirming the recent attacks, Mohammad Wakili, the new Commissioner of Police in Kano, said the state over the past 48 hours has witnessed an upsurge in violence. About 28 thugs have so far been arrested in connection with the recent unrests. The Commissioner assures that the Police would do everything humanly possible to ensure security of lives and properties, as well as peaceful elections in the state. Politicians and other Stakeholders have been urged to play by the rules and caution their supporters to be more tolerant and avoid any action that could lead to confrontations before, during and after the election period.