Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has said no one including the police can stop him from travelling to his home state.
Kwankwaso is scheduled to visit the state on January 30.
The Kano State Police Command had on Friday advised Mr. Kwankwaso to shelve the visit, warning that it may lead to chaos.
It also said the law would be allowed to take its full course in the event of a breakdown of law and order as a result of the controversial visit.
The proposed visit by the lawmaker, who is a known critic of the state governor, Umar Ganduje, has generated controversy in the state with accusations and counter-allegations emanating from the different political divides.
The State Police Commissioner, Rabiu Yusuf, said the police would not allow a breakdown of law and order due to tension over the visit.
But the Senator said he will go there peacefully to see his constituents.
Kwankwaso, who spoke through his spokesperson, Binta Sipikin, in Kano, said he will go to the state with ”seven camera drones”, three international media outfits and, ”a host of other top national and international friends of his.”
Mr. Kwankwaso said his visit is a well-planned one that will be peaceful.
“We are coming to visit friends, families and other relatives that for a long time, we have not seen. We have coordinated this visit with seven camera drones and other apparatus that would make it a hitch free home coming,” he said.
The Police in a statement on Friday titled ‘Kwankwaso; Don’t Visit Kano Now
Police’ had said, “The attention of Kano State Police Command is drawn to the intended visit to Kano State on 30th January, 2018 by the former Executive Governor of the State and now Distinguished Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Eng. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Police’ had said, “The attention of Kano State Police Command is drawn to the intended visit to Kano State on 30th January, 2018 by the former Executive Governor of the State and now Distinguished Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Eng. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
“There is no doubt, the Senator as a citizen of this Country has the right of freedom of association, assembly and movement. However, credible information at the disposal of the Command reveals that the proposed visit has generated palpable fears in the minds of the people of Kano State.
“There is apprehension amongst the general populace and the tendency to hijack the visit by some disgruntled politicians or miscreants cannot be ruled out.
Consequent upon this, the urgent need to nip the problem in the bud cannot be over-emphasized.
Therefore, any action or inaction by any person or group of persons that may jeopardize the relative peace the State is enjoying must be averted.
On this premise, it is the candid advice of the Command that such a visit to the State should be shelved by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso until the tension generated by the planned visit is doused and security threat neutralized.
The Command will continue to be firm, fair and just in providing a level playing ground for all political gladiators to carry out their political activities without fear of molestation and or intimidation. Rabi’u Yusuf Commissioner of Police Kano.
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