A coalition of civil society organisations in Kano State has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the political and institutional tensions in the state, warning that they could escalate if not addressed.
The Kano Patriotic CSOs Coalition Forum made the call in a letter to the President titled, “Kano at a Crossroads: An Urgent Call for Immediate Presidential Intervention to Prevent Crisis and Social Upheaval.”
The letter was jointly signed by the coalition’s conveners, Hassan Ibrahim Gama, Mustapha Muhammed Chiroma and Peter Hassan Tijjani.
Copies of the letter were also sent to the National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency and other security authorities.
The coalition said presidential intervention was needed to encourage restraint among political and community actors and prevent further escalation of tensions.
It also raised concerns over a viral video purportedly showing a Kano State House of Assembly candidate for Gwale Constituency, Aminu Abdullahi Warkal, displaying what appeared to be a pump-action rifle at a political gathering in Janbulo.
According to the group, the Kano State Police Command had invited the candidate for questioning over the video.
The coalition, however, said the circumstances surrounding the incident remained subject to investigation and due process.
It urged political actors, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community influencers to avoid statements and actions capable of heightening tensions.
The group also called on security agencies to monitor developments and take preventive measures against violence, intimidation, hate speech and destruction of property.
It further urged political appointees at the federal and state levels to avoid unnecessary involvement in the Kano Emirate dispute, particularly issues before the courts.
The coalition called for respect for judicial proceedings and decisions relating to the dispute.
It also urged authorities to investigate reported incidents involving the destruction of political posters, billboards and campaign materials and prosecute anyone found responsible for violence, irrespective of political or traditional affiliation.
The group proposed a dialogue involving the Federal and Kano State governments, traditional institutions, political parties, security agencies, religious leaders, youths, women and civil society organisations.
It also called for equal protection for political parties, candidates and their supporters as political activities and campaigns intensify.
The coalition said political parties and their supporters should focus their campaigns on governance and development rather than issues capable of deepening divisions among residents.
It said the situation required preventive action before tensions escalated into conflict.
“We respectfully call on Your Excellency to act now, before tension becomes crisis and crisis becomes conflict,” the coalition said.
It also appealed to political and community actors to uphold peace, democratic participation and the rule of law.