The Kwankwasiyya Movement says it will rely on constitutional and legal channels to defend its members and other citizens against what it describes as intimidation, harassment and attempts to suppress opposition voices in Kano State.
The group, which is loyal to NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso, said it would not resort to violence or encourage its supporters to take the law into their own hands.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its spokesperson, Dr Habibu Sale Mohammed, the movement said it would pursue petitions, legal representation, judicial review and other lawful measures.
The statement followed a report by Amnesty International which raised concerns over alleged arrests, detention, threats and harassment involving critics of the Kano State Government. Kwankwasiyya said the report reinforced concerns it had previously expressed about what it described as a shrinking democratic space in the state.
The group also expressed concern over the continued detention of Abba Ibrahim Kofar Nasarawa, popularly known as Aiha K Nass, who it said had been in detention since August.
According to the movement, Aiha K Nass was arrested and taken before a Shari’a Court, where his initial application for bail was rejected before bail was later granted under certain conditions. One of the conditions, it said, required two serving permanent secretaries and a Kano State Government employee to stand as sureties.
Kwankwasiyya said the conditions had prevented his release despite the bail being granted.
The movement said it had petitioned the Chief Judge of Kano State and the Kano State Judicial Service Commission over the circumstances surrounding proceedings at the Shari’a Court, Ungogo Division, seeking a review through the appropriate legal institutions.
It also called on the Kano State Government, security agencies and relevant institutions to respect citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and association.
The group urged an impartial review of cases involving people allegedly detained or prosecuted over political expression, including Aiha K Nass and others mentioned by Amnesty International.
Kwankwasiyya further called on the judiciary to uphold its independence and ensure fair treatment for citizens appearing before the courts, while urging its members and supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
Source: Vanguard
