Group of Concerned Citizens in Kano state, North-western Nigeria, has appealed to the Nigerian government to ensure that justice is served on those that perpetrated electoral violence in the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections.
(The group comprises members of professional groups, human rights activists, and civil society organizations).
Led by a former commissioner of Budget and Planning in Kano state, Nura Muhammad Dankadai, the group said at a media briefing in Kano state that the electoral violence which occured during the election on the 25th February, 2023 in and around Doguwa/Tudu-Wada federal constituency and the subsequent arrests and arraingment in court needed to be thoroughly monitored to ensure undue interference in the judicial process for those involved.
“We are appealing to the Presidency; the National Security Adviser; the Inspector General of Police; the director, State Security Services; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; and all national and international stakeholders to come to the rescue of the ever peace-loving people of Tudun Wada and Doguwa local governments areas of Kano state,” he said.
It would be recalled that the re-elected Majority Leader of the House of Representatives under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Honourable Alhassan Ado Doguwa, and some persons from the same constituency were arraigned before a court in Kano state and are currently in remand until the 7th of March, 2023 on a five-count charge, bordering on culpable homicide, unlawful possession of fire arms, criminal conspiracy, mischief and incitement of public disturbance.
In the incidence, according to the Nigerian Police, three (3) persons died, while eight (8) persons were wounded as votes were being counted on the 26th February, 2023.
Also, a House of Representatives member-elect for Dala federal constituency under the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Aliyu Sani Madaki, was arrested and later released by the police in Kano for possessing arms during the election.
Dankadai said the group is aware of pressure from some higher authorities to tinker with the judicial process for the arrested persons to be released on bail, which he said will subvert justice, show lack of empathy and compassion for the victims’ families and possibly increase lawlessness and threat to peace in the upcoming governorship election to be held next weekend on the 11th March, 2023.
“We also want to commend the efforts of the security personnel and agencies for their efforts in rescuing the ugly situation that befell on our people of Tudun Wada and Doguwa local government areas.
“Draw the attention of the members of the Press and other esteemed citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to note the precarious condition of the people, arising from the dastardly act of arson and brigandage unleashed on defenceless citizens, leading to immense/profound loss of lives, injuries and destruction of properties on 26th February, 2023 which led to the arrest and arraignment of the accused persons before the court of law,” he added.
Edited by Amaka E. Nliam
