Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has vehemently rejected what he characterizes as “baseless and reckless” demands by the Kano State government for his arrest over alleged comments concerning militia formation.
In a strongly-worded statement released on Saturday through his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, the former governor framed the accusation as a transparent attempt by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to deflect attention from its “demonstrable failures” in addressing Kano’s escalating security challenges.
“This manufactured controversy represents the desperate tactics of an administration that has repeatedly failed in its fundamental constitutional duty to protect citizens,” Ganduje stated, positioning the allegation as political theater rather than legitimate law enforcement concern.
The political context behind this exchange is critical to understanding its significance. Ganduje, who previously governed Kano for eight years before being succeeded by Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), represents the ongoing power struggle between the APC and NNPP in Nigeria’s second-most populous state. This confrontation occurs against a backdrop of increasing security concerns across northern Nigeria, where communal violence and criminal activities have strained government resources.
Ganduje specifically highlighted several communities—including Bagwai, Shanono, and Tsanyawa—where residents reportedly “live in perpetual fear” due to rising insecurity. He contrasted this with what he described as Governor Yusuf’s “conspicuous absence” from affected areas, suggesting the governor has “neither visited these communities nor demonstrated meaningful empathy for victims.”
“Leadership is measured by presence during crisis, not by press conference rhetoric,” Ganduje asserted, framing the current administration’s approach as fundamentally disconnected from the people it serves.
The former governor emphatically denied any association with violence or activities that could undermine Kano’s stability, pointing to his own eight-year tenure as evidence of his commitment to peace. “During my administration, Kano earned national recognition for maintaining security and protecting lives and property—a stark contrast to the current ineptitude and lack of direction,” he claimed.
This exchange reflects a broader pattern in Nigerian politics where corruption allegations and security concerns frequently become weapons in inter-party conflicts. The timing of the arrest call suggests it may be strategically positioned to undermine Ganduje’s continued influence in Kano politics and his role as Chairman of the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Ganduje concluded by urging the state government to redirect its energies toward “constitutional responsibilities rather than political theatrics,” emphasizing that “true leadership manifests through purposeful action, responsibility, and compassion—not through manufactured crises designed to divert public attention from governance failures.”
As this political confrontation unfolds, observers note that the ultimate test for both administrations will be whether Kano’s security situation improves, regardless of which party ultimately gains political advantage from the exchange.