The Kano State Police Command has announced the cancellation of all political rallies in the state due to clashes between supporters of the ruling All Progressive Congress and the opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Both parties had scheduled grand finale rallies on Thursday ahead of the presidential and national assembly elections on Saturday. However, the rallies were marred by violent confrontations between supporters.
To address the situation, the police invited the leadership of the APC, PDP, and NNPP to an emergency meeting, where they were warned of potential security threats. However, sources reveal that representatives of the APC and NNPP rejected the advice, while the police insisted on their decision.
DCP Muhammed confirmed the cancellation of the rallies in a statement, noting that the APC, NNPP, and PDP had informed the command of their scheduled rallies within the Kano metropolis on February 23, 2023.
“In view of the precarious security situation in the state and the country in general, the commissioner of Police summoned the representatives of the three political parties to an emergency meeting to find a solution to the impasse.
“It is therefore advisable that all political parties postpone the planned presidential/national assembly rallies to a later date after the February 25 elections,”.
Earlier, unidentified hoodlums attacked supporters of NNPP along Zaria road and set several vehicles ablaze.
The supporters were on their way to Kwanar Dangora to welcome Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the NNPP and former governor of the state, who was concluding his campaign rally.
Leaders of the APC had told our correspondent that the party intended to commence its rally at Club road while the NNPP intended to start it's at Kwanar Dangora and proceed to Kwankwaso’s residence at Miller Road which is off Club road.
Prime 9ja Online reports that thugs wielding various dangerous weapons have been moving around freely in the city since Monday, leaving behind several victims.
Many of the residents spoken to said they fear a repeat of the 2019 election violence which left several people killed or injured while property worth millions of Naira were destroyed.