KANO:
About 100 civil society organisations under the Kano Patriotic CSOs Coalition Forum (KPCF) have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in what they described as growing political and social tensions in Kano State.
The coalition made the appeal in an open letter dated October 8, 2026, addressed to President Tinubu as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The groups said Kano had reached a critical point requiring urgent, impartial and preventive intervention by the Federal Government to prevent existing tensions from developing into a wider crisis or social unrest.
Concern Over Inflammatory Statements
The KPCF expressed concern over a statement attributed to Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’agundi, also known as Sarkin Dawaki Babba, describing the alleged statement as particularly concerning given the current political atmosphere in Kano.
The coalition said prominent traditional and community figures have significant influence and should therefore use their platforms to promote peace, unity, tolerance and social cohesion.
The group also referred to a viral video allegedly showing Hon. Aminu Abdullahi Warkal, an NDC candidate for the Kano State House of Assembly representing Gwale Constituency, displaying what appeared to be a pump-action rifle during a political gathering in the Janbulo area of Gwale.
According to the coalition, the Kano State Police Command subsequently invited Warkal for questioning in connection with the alleged incident, reportedly over possible violations of firearms laws and concerns relating to public peace and security.
The KPCF stressed that the allegations remain matters for the appropriate authorities to investigate and determine in accordance with due process.
Call for Restraint
The coalition urged political actors, traditional and religious leaders, community leaders and their supporters to exercise restraint as political activities and campaigns intensify.
It called on all stakeholders to refrain from hate speech, inflammatory rhetoric, threats, intimidation and any actions capable of provoking violence or mobilising citizens against one another.
The group also urged political actors and influential stakeholders to use their platforms to promote dialogue, tolerance, respect for opposing views and peaceful political participation.
Concern Over Recent Durbar Incident
The KPCF also raised concerns over a reported incident surrounding a recent Durbar organised by the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.
The coalition said reports indicated that campaign posters and billboards bearing the identities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf were allegedly destroyed by some individuals said to be supporters of the 15th Emir.
The coalition acknowledged reports that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero subsequently apologised to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf over the incident, describing the reported apology as a welcome gesture towards de-escalating the situation.
However, it called on the relevant authorities to establish the facts surrounding the incident and ensure that anyone found to have committed an offence is dealt with according to the law, regardless of political, traditional or social status.
Kano Emirate Dispute
The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as the continuing politicisation of the Kano Emirate issue.
It acknowledged that the dispute has generated strong emotions across the state and that aspects of the matter are before the courts, including proceedings before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The KPCF appealed to political appointees and government officials at both federal and state levels to refrain from making inflammatory statements or taking partisan positions on matters before the courts.
It further called on all stakeholders to allow the judiciary to perform its constitutional responsibilities without political pressure, intimidation or public mobilisation.
KPCF’s Appeal to President Tinubu
The coalition asked President Tinubu to:
1. Urgently intervene in the emerging situation in Kano and encourage all parties to exercise maximum restraint.
2. Direct relevant security and intelligence agencies to closely monitor developments and take preventive measures against violence, intimidation, hate speech and destruction of property.
3. Call on political appointees at both federal and Kano State levels to refrain from unnecessary involvement in the Emirate dispute, particularly on matters before the courts.
4. Reaffirm the independence of the judiciary and encourage all parties to respect judicial proceedings and decisions concerning the Kano Emirate.
5. Ensure that the destruction of political posters, billboards and campaign materials is investigated and addressed according to law.
6. Encourage traditional, religious, political and community leaders to publicly commit themselves to peace and responsible communication throughout the political campaign period.
7. Facilitate an inclusive peace and stakeholders’ dialogue involving the Kano State Government, Federal Government representatives, traditional institutions, political parties, security agencies, religious leaders, youth and women representatives, and civil society organisations.
8. Encourage political actors to focus their campaigns on development and governance rather than personalities, traditional institutions or issues capable of dividing the people of Kano.
“Kano Must Not Be Allowed to Slide Into Crisis”
The KPCF said Kano is too important to Nigeria to be allowed to descend into avoidable confrontation.
According to the coalition, Kano is a major commercial, cultural, political and social centre whose stability has implications beyond the state, including neighbouring states and the wider northern region.
The group described the current situation as a critical early-warning stage and argued that decisive and impartial intervention at this point could help prevent a more serious crisis in the future.
The coalition therefore appealed to President Tinubu to use the constitutional powers and authority of his office to promote peace, democratic participation, freedom of expression, respect for traditional institutions, protection of political rights and the rule of law.
It also urged all parties to avoid provocative statements and actions and to place the peace and stability of Kano above personal, political or institutional interests.
The open letter was signed by Hassan Ibrahim Gama, Mustapha Mohammed Chiroma and Peter Hassan Tijjani, on behalf of the coalition.
The document also contains the names of 100 civil society organisations and representatives listed as members or supporters of the Kano Patriotic CSOs Coalition Forum.
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