The Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Abduljelili Adesiyan has described as unfortunate and an admission of failure, the allegation by Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State that President Goodluck Jonathan was out to kill him.
The minister said rather than appreciate the efforts of security agents in ensuring peace in his state, Kwankwaso was busy abusing the President.
Kwankwaso had on Wednesday accused the President of instigating the crisis that greeted the appointment of Malam Lamido Sanusi as the new Emir of Kano.
The governor also said the President should be held liable if any harm comes to him, his family or the people of Kano State.
Kwankwaso was speaking on the backdrop of the alleged significant withdrawal of policemen from Government House, which prompted Kano youths and local vigilante to take over security of the governor’s residence as well as the siege laid to the Emir’s palace by a team of policemen but which has been lifted.
But Adesiyan in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Wale Akinola, said the governor needed to be educated on the role of police and other security agencies in the society.
He said, “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.
“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”.
He said Kwankwaso’s outburst against Jonathan was an indication of a failed governor, who acts against the will of the people.
The minister added, “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”.
When asked to react to the ministers’ statements, Kwankwaso said he had no comments.
Speaking through his media aide, Baba Dantiye, he said, “We have no more comments on this. We are busy with the (APC) convention”.
