By Iliya Kure
The Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf has fired a commissioner for making threats toward the lives of judges serving on the governorship elections tribunal in the state.
In a video that went viral on social media, Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Adamu Kibiya, was heard asking the tribunal judges to choose between their lives and their work in delivering the judgement.
“People voted for us and some people are attempting to do injustice. We want to tell the judges that we will not accept this. Any judge that is willing to deprive us of our rights will regret it. Whatever will happen, we won’t care…,” he had said during a protest organized by members of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the state.
But addressing journalists in Kano, on Friday, Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, said the governor had directed the immediate dismissal of Kibiya.
Dantiye who also announced the sacking of the governor’s Special Advisor on Youth and Sports, Aliyu Yusuf added that Gov Yusuf respects and takes the judiciary in high esteem and would not condone any disrespect to them.
His words, “The attention of the Kano State Government has been drawn to videos trending on social media platforms featuring the State Commissioner of Land and Physical Planning, Alh. Adamu Aliyu Kibiya making threatening statements on Judges of the Tribunal, while that of the Special Adviser on Youth and Sport, Alh Yusuf Imam making unguarded and disrespectful statements on His Excellency Alh Kashim Shettima GCON the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“While condemning the unfortunate threat to the Judges and the disrespect shown to the VP, we wish to make it catego rically clear that the views expressed do not represent the official position of the State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Alh Abba Kabir Yusuf.”
“It is important to emphasised that neither of the two officials have any clearance to speak on behalf of government and none of them serves as official spokesperson of the government.”
“Kano State Government under HE Abba Kabir Yusuf holds the Judiciary in very high esteem and expresses tremendous amount of respect to justices and all judicial officers.”
“Beside the good understanding between the government and people of Kano State and Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Kano State Governor HE Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf deeply respects the person and office of the Vice President His Excellency Alh. Kashim Shettima GCON and will not condone any iota of disrespect on the Vice President or any other Nigerian leader.”
“For these reasons, the Governor of Kano State has relieved the two officials of their appointment with immediate effect: Commissioner of Land and Physical Planning, Alh Adamu A. Kibiya, and the Special Adviser on Youth and Sport, Alh Yusuf Imam.”
“The Kano State Government has also directed that, henceforth, no official of government should speak on any matter outside the purview of their MDAs without express clearance and permission.”
“Henceforth, Unguarded and inflammatory statements will not be condoned.”
“The Ministry of Information is directed to ensure that all media outlets in the state especially radio stations are complying with the extant guidelines provided by regulatory agencies.”
“While expressing our faith in the judicial process, believing very strongly that justice will prevail at all the levels of judicial processes, the Kano State Government wishes to call on all residents in the state to remain law-abiding and continue to go about their normal businesses without any hindrances.”
At a solidarity protest organized by the governor’s party, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) on Thursday, Aliyu warned the judges hearing governorship election petitions – but allegedly collected bribes – should choose between the money and their lives.
“Any judge that allows himself to be used and collect bribes and pass judgment that is not right, we want to tell him he must choose between his life and the bribe money he collected,” he told his party members.
The governorship election tribunal involves the sitting governor, Yusuf of the NNPP, who is being challenged by Nasiru Gawuna, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The tribunal has concluded the hearing but is yet to announce a date for its judgment.
Commissioner Aliyu’s statements became worrying when he said the consequences of an unfavorable judgment would be disastrous., compared to what was happening in attacked-ridden neighboring states.
“You have seen the conflict in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina,” he warned. “I swear because of this governorship seat, everyone will die. The conflict that will start in Kano will be more deadly than the ones in those states and Borno.”
The Secretary to the Kano State Government, Baffa Bichi, and other top officials were present at the event where these threats were made.
