Elections: Peace committee raises the alarm over Kano violence

The Kano State Peace Committee on Tuesday expressed concern over the increasingly violent attacks among political supporters in the state.

This is contained in a statement by the secretary of the committee, Ibrahim Waiya, and released to newsmen on Tuesday.

He said the committee had observed with dismay that the recent Peace Accord signed by eight political parties’ governorship candidates in the state had been grossly violated by some party supporters with violent clashes in recent times, especially at the following notable locations: Dambatta/Makoda, Rimin Kebe, Mandawari, Rigiyar Lemo, Larabar Abasawa, Dawakin Kudu and Tudun Wada.

“This ugly development is glaringly threatening the peace and security of the state. The most current reported violence unleashed on the residents of Rimin Kebe quarters of Nassarawa LGA, which claimed the life of an innocent young boy by the alleged supporters of a candidate seeking election for the House of Representatives, was not only dangerous to the lives of Kano citizens but also uncalled for.

“These kinds of practices are not only inhuman but also a total contravention of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended and also a moral betrayal of the trust and efforts so far invested in the campaigns for the promotion of peace and security in the state. This, therefore, calls for decisive actions by security agencies, not only on the perpetrators but also their sponsors,” he said.

According to Waiya, the peace committee is very much disturbed by these emerging threats to the peace and security of the state.

He, therefore, condemned the trend saying it was unacceptable and unpardonable.

“We call in strong terms on the leadership of the concerned political parties to respect the rules of the game and the Peace Accord they all signed in the interest of public safety, security and wellbeing of the Kano citizens.

“We wish to call on all media outfits to break the culture of silence in the reportage of these kinds of incidents by exposing the names of political parties involved in the promotion of such violence, the names of the persons involved as well as the extent of the damage,” he added.

While appreciating the efforts of the Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Abubakar Lawal, on the number of arrests so far made of the perpetrators and prosecution of same, Waiya called on the commissioner to arrest and prosecute the high-profile sponsors of the violence across all party lines.

“This, we believe, will help to drastically address the increasing political violent conflicts in the state. No group or individual should be seen acting above the law, regardless of any political party inclination or social background, ” he added.

-punch news