Lawyers Petition Tinubu, NSA Over Ganduje’s Parallel Shariah Police
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The National Forum of Kano Indigene Lawyers have raised alarm over the recruitment of parallel Hisbah police in Kano, a move they described as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the state to achieve political gains.
In a petition signed by Malam Usman Imam Tudun Wazirichi PhD, National President and Rita Benedict, Esq National Secretary, made available to journalists in Kano on Wednesday, the forum called the attention of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribado to intervene to avoid potential security implications of creating private Hisbah group in Kano.
The lawyers alleged that the Ganduje led private Hisbah structure is capable of threatening the delicate coexistence of Muslims and Christians in the state, and therefore demanded urgent attention of the national security adviser.
According to the petition, “We, the Executive Members of the National Form of Kano Indigene Lawyers, call on behalf of ourselves and the wider peace-loving people of Kano to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the National Security Adviser, Abuja.
“Our concern is clear. There are ongoing efforts to destabilize the long-standing social order of Kano for political gains. The recent disturbances in parts of the state, witnessed with shock by the public, point to deliberate attempt to manufacture insecurity.
“The situation calls for a firm and transparent security response, not the creation of private or quasi-religious security bodies that provide cover for criminal or extreme elements. Such structures threaten the delicate coexistence of Muslims and Christians in the state.
“Reports linking Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to plans for a parallel Hisbah-styled outfit raised a serious alarm. Any such structure, driven by political motives, risks plunging the state into confusion and undermining the elected NNPP Government.
“We urge the President to intervene without delay. The life of a single Nigerian, before God and under the constitution carries more weight than any political ambition. Kano must not be allowed to drift toward the insecurity witnessed in Borno and Zamfara.
“If decisive measures are not taken, we will have no choice but to notify the US President Donald Trump, United Nations and the Commonwealth of the looming security threat in Nigeria’s most populous state. A situation that could trigger displacement across the region and beyond,” the petition read.
Amid security threat in Kano, the former National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje opened the recruitment of 12,000 Independent security group in the state.
Issuing out the recruitment forms to willing youths in Kano, during the weekend, Ganduje through the former Managing Director, Kano Road Transport Agency (KAROTA) Baffa DanAgundi, dung Ganduje’s administration said the initiative was designed to create opportunities for 12,000 individuals sacked by the present government.
DanAgundi said the initiative which will be devoid of any political undertone, is purely intended to offer job opportunities for those rendered jobless from the state established Hisbah Board.
According to him, the new Independent Hisbah Fisabilillah will be established under the Ganduje Foundation as voluntary and not affiliated group to render religious services.
However, the lawyers argued that Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), provides “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. They insisted that security is therefore a public function, not a private enterprise, foundation project or political legacy scheme.