The New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) members' abhorrent act of violence, which occurred during the opening of Senator Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso's presidential campaign office in the state's Sharada LGA, has been strongly condemned by the Kano State government.
The Gawauna/Gsro Campaign Council's spokesperson, Mallam Muhammad Garba, the commissioner for information, said in a statement that while the government is ensuring a level playing field for electioneering campaigns by all political parties, it was unfortunate that the NNPP started by attacking the unknowing public.
He said the programme which is supposed to be peaceful, its members, however, brandished dangerous weapons and turned them into a launch pad to attack residents, allegedly leading to some deaths as well as the snatching of mobile phones.
He added that the administration of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is appalled that there seems to be a deliberate attempt by the NNPP to shatter the prevailing peaceful political atmosphere in the state.
The commissioner revealed that Governor Ganduje has tasked the state security agencies to be alive of their responsibilities by ensuring that all political rallies are peaceful and deal with any person or group bent on creating chaos.
The statement warned that the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on any person or group bent on breaching the peace in the name of a political campaign and reaffirmed his earlier call for the issue-based campaign.
Mallam Garba said while the restriction of the operation of tricyclists from 10 pm has reduced to the barest minimum perpetration of criminal activities, the government would not hesitate to institute other measures to ensure that peace prevails.
He said Kano has been enjoying relative peace compared to other states in the federation and called on all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the state has peaceful campaigns, elections and transition programmes.