The Kano State Chapter of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has cautioned all Kano gubernatorial candidates against inciting statements that are capable of igniting trouble in the state.
This is contained in a statement by
Nasiru Ibrahim, Assistant Publicity Secretary of the Forum, a copy of which was made available to the Punch on Monday.
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According to the statement, the Forum’s chairman, Dr. Goni Umar gave the warning on Sunday during an interactive session with the gubernatorial candidates as part of effort to reduce the already rising tension in the state.
He said the essence of the interactive session was to discuss with the candidates what they intend to offer when they are elected as governor.
“Part of what we have told them is that we would like them to state that when they win election, they will not interfere with the allocations of the 44 local government councils in the state.
“We asked them to lead by example and make sure none of their children or those of their commissioners go abroad to study. They should ensure that their children attend public schools in order to know the problems of the education sector and solve them.
“We do not expect anyone elected as governor, his deputy or commissioners to go abroad for treatment. They should ensure that they improve the health sector so that everybody can get access to good healthcare.
“We have also called on them to ensure that there is no thuggery in their campaigns so that we will have peaceful campaigns and elections and they have signed an undertaking that they will not use thugs in their campaigns,” the statement said.
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The forum also made a case for the Almajiris and victims of drug abuse, where it demanded for genuine plans from the candidates on how to resolve the problems.
The chairman of the session, Kamilu Fagge, said they are worried by recent political events in Kano, hence the reason behind convening the meeting with the gubernatorial candidates.
“As elders who are shouldered whether we like or not with the responsibilities of ensuring peace, we cannot fold our arms and allow the unfortunate happenings in the political circle in Kano to continue,” he said.
Fagge hinted that they are bringing in the gubernatorial candidates to commit them to peaceful resolutions of conduct devoid of rancor and violence.
The NNPP deputy gubernatorial candidate, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, said they never rejected signing a peace accord, but that authorities must take measures against anybody violating the rules.
“We cannot sign any peace accord when some people are being allowed to misbehave and continue to create tension among Kano citizens. We can only commit ourselves where we see things are done rightly without prejudice to the laws,” he said
Other gubernatorial candidates who appeared before ACF executives in Kano include Ibrahim Khalil (ADC), Bashir Bashir (LP), Sadiq Wali (PDP), Shaaban Sharada (ADP), Salihu Tanko-Yakasai (PRP) and Ibrahim Sani (APM).
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The candidates have submitted their blueprint to ACF executives after signing peace accord with a commitment to peaceful electioneering.
The engagement is expected to continue this week with the governorship candidate of All Progressive Candidate and deputy governor of Kano state, Nasiru Gawuna.
