NEWS: MANY ARE WOUNDED AS POLITICAL UNREST ROCKS KANO STATE

Kano state, Nigeria was an arena of bloodbath as political violence sneaked its way into the heart of supporters of present administration of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and his predecessor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The two among many that were injured and immediately hospitalized included a former Secretary to the State Government under Mr. Kwankwaso, Rabiu Bichi, and the ex-governor’s younger brother, named Sani.

According to report by the spokesperson of former the governor Mr Kwnakwaso, Binta Sipikin, said the supporters of the former governor went to the palace of the Emir of Kano, Mohammadu Sanusi, just before the commencement of  a traditional celebration, Hawan Daushe.

It was alleged that when the supporters arrived the palace, the police officers there pushed them back using teargas and other harm devices, forcing the supporters to run for safety.

“But as that ensuing melee grew, we just saw people hitting us with cutlasses, heavy sticks and other dangerous weapons,” she said.
“Then I fell down and my eyeglasses broke.”

Ms Binta Sipikinn accused Governor Ganduje for the the cause of the attack, she said it was the  Governor who mobilized the police officers and ordered to spray the teargas.

The governor, however, denied the allegation.
PremiumTimes reports the Kano State Commissioner of Information, Mohammad Garba, said the governor was not even in the state when the violence occurred. He said the governor and his team travelled to neighbouring Katsina State to pay Sallah homage to President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura.

The commissioner also added that when the Governor returned on Saturday's night, the palace was peaceful and the Hawan Daushe held peacefully.


The state caretaker chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Abbas, also refuted allegations that the governor or his supporters were responsible for the attack on Mr. Kwankwaso’s supporters, known as ‘Kwankwasiyya.’
Mr. Abbas suggested that the violence may have been caused by the former governor’s supporters.

“If they didn’t go to the emir’s palace with mischievous purpose, how will the police chase them away if they were peaceful.”

But Ms. Sipikin insisted that the attackers were Mr. Ganduje’s supporters. She told PREMIUMTIMES:

“We recognised most of them. And right now, our people including the former SSG are receiving treatment at Murtala Muhammad Hospital, Asiya Bayero hospital and AKTH; over 20 of us.”

One more photo after the cut.