President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday responded to the Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso’s allegation that the President wants to assassinate him.
The response which was conveyed through two ministers suspected to be acting on behalf of the President, criticized Kwankwaso in separate statements issued in Abuja by Labaran Maku, the Minister of Information as well as the Minister of Police Affairs, Abdul Jelili Adesiyan.
The ministers described the governor as being desperate and paranoid; pointing out that his allegation against Jonathan was the peak of irresponsibility and an indication of a failed governor.
Maku, challenged the governor to explain to the people of Kano the role him and the All Progressives Congress played in the emergence of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, instead of dragging the President to it.
It would be recalled that Kwankwaso on Wednesday accused the President of being responsible for the conflicts that trialed the appointment of the new Emir, Sanusi. He also stated that the President should be held responsible for whatever happens to him, his family or the people of the state
According to the statement issued on behalf of the information minister by his Chief Press Secretary, Joseph Mutah, he said Kwankwaso was trying to smear the image of the president and the Federal Government.
“It is a known fact that the appointment of traditional rulers is within the purview of state governments and it is surprising why Kwankwaso has chosen to drag the name of the President into the succession crisis rocking the Kano Emirate.
“Instead of throwing tantrums and casting aspersions on imaginary enemies, Kwankwaso should face the people of Kano and explain to them the role he and APC leaders played in the imbroglio.
Minister of Information, Labaran Maku
“The Police in Kano have offered explanations why officers and men were deployed to guard the palace of the emir, yet Governor Kwankwaso decided to further his unbridled campaign of blackmail against the President and the Federal Government.
“The recent outbursts of Kwankwaso have lent credence to observations in some quarters that the governor is now afraid of his own shadow as the people of Kano become increasingly impatient with his years of one-man rule under which he imposes his will on the state in total disregard to the wishes of the people” Maku said.
However, Kwankwaso, on his Twitter page on Wednesday, insisted that he followed the same procedure which Ibrahim Dankwambo, the Gombe State governor adopted in appointing the new Emir of Gombe, and questionedwhy the President should cause crisis in his state, as well as accused him of plotting an agenda which is not good for this country. He urged the Jonathan-led administration to focus its attention on the security challenges bedeviling the country and not him.
Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso
Maku went further to say that: “After the recent denial of freedom of choice for the people of Kano by imposing local government chairmen and councillors on them, he then took on the late Kano monarch shortly before his demise.
“Governor Kwankwaso, as is well known to the public, then went on a highly politicised selection process, turning the ascension to the throne of Kano into a partisan political enterprise during which prominent All Progressives Congress leaders and some governors moved to Kano reportedly to influence the outcome.
“The result is the outpouring of anger and protests in the ancient city of Kano with the unfortunate breakdown of law and order.
“Governor Kwankwaso is therefore singularly responsible for the violence in his state. The selection of successors to other traditional institutions in other parts of the North in recent years has not witnessed the kind of public anger and protests and violence that greeted the exercise conducted by Kwankwaso at the Government House in Kano.
“The police authorities in the light of the violent opposition to the highly political selection process for the new Emir of Kano only helped to restore law and order and to protect the historic palace of the throne of Kano from being razed or destroyed by aggrieved people of Kano.
“To turn round to blame President Jonathan or the Federal Government for the crisis is the height of delusion and irresponsibility on the part of Kwankwaso. He is the architect of the crisis and violence and if he has a conscience, he should examine his role in this unfortunate and needless crisis into which he has plunged the ancient city of Kano and its respected traditional institution in recent weeks.
“The latest claim by Kwankwaso is wild and outlandish and does not fit into the character of President Jonathan or the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“The Federal Government urged the people of Kano to remain peaceful and law-abiding, as well as shun violence “in spite of the highhandedness of Governor Kwankwaso and his associates” Maku said.
Similarly, Police Affairs Minister who also berated the governor, said it unfortunate that instead of Kwankwaso to be thankful for the efforts of the officers who maintained peace during the crisis, he was busy insulting the president.
In a statement issued by Adesiyan’s Chief Press Secretary, Wale Akinola, the minister stressed the need for Kwankwaso to be educated on the role of security agencies in the country.
“Police have the mandate to protect the lives and property of every citizen of Nigeria and Kano State cannot be an exception.
“When there is protest, the police should be able to protect people’s lives so that it will not lead to a major crisis and that was what the police did in Kano to stop youths who were dissatisfied with the appointment of Sanusi as the Emir of Kano.
“But instead of appreciating the efforts of security agents in bringing about peace in the state, Kwankwaso was abusing Mr. President.
Minister of Police Affairs, Abdul Jelili Adesiyan
“I think Kwankwaso needs to be educated on the role of police and other security agencies in the society as well as the functions of the President of Nigeria in order to give him an insight into their operational procedure” Adesiyan said.
The minister described the governor’s outburst against the President as an indication of a failed governor who acts against the will of the people.
“It is rather unfathomable that Kwankwaso could use the protest that followed the appointment of Sanusi as the Emir of Kano as an opportunity to insult the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the way he likes.
“His recent outburst is an indication of a failed governor who acts against the will of the people.
“Have you ever seen the opposition party insulting the President of the United States of America, or the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, or Chancellor in Germany?
“It is only in Nigeria that those who lack patriotism like Kwankwaso can insult the President at will.
“Rather than reflect and ever remain grateful to PDP for giving him the platform to become a governor and a minister, Kwankwaso now has the audacity to abuse the President.
“While I recognise the inalienable right of citizens to hold opinions and identify with political platforms of their choice, I find it very difficult to understand the type of bitterness that has taken hold of an elected person like Governor Kwankwaso who hugely benefitted from the PDP on which platform he was twice elected governor in addition to being appointed minister.
“Kwankwaso has not only shown his aversion to the unity of the nation but also the agenda of his party, the APC, to attack well-meaning individuals and leaders as a means to cause confusion among Nigerians and destroy our oneness as a people” Adesiyan added.
When Kwankwaso was asked to respond to the ministers’ statement, he said he had no comments, while his media aide, Baba Dantiye, later said: “We have no more comments on this. We are busy with the convention.”
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