Political analyst Hassan Ibrahim has advised former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to refrain from interfering in the state’s security issues. Ibrahim also urged current Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to prioritize the safety of residents over politics. In an interview, Ibrahim stated that Ganduje’s comments, including his proposal for a new private security outfit, could exacerbate the already fragile atmosphere in the state.

Ganduje’s plan, allegedly based on a report submitted by Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, claims that the current administration had sacked over 12,000 Hisbah personnel. Ibrahim warned that this could create clashes between the proposed outfit and the existing state-owned security outfit, Hisbah, potentially distracting the government from addressing banditry and other security concerns.

Ibrahim noted that Ganduje’s administration had been marred by incidents of political thuggery, which could have contributed to the state’s rising insecurity. He also mentioned the ongoing emirship dispute, which Ganduje has been accused of having a hand in, as a factor in the state’s instability.

The analyst emphasized the need for Governor Yusuf to deploy all available resources to combat insecurity in Kano. He advised the governor to strengthen cooperation with security agencies, including the police, DSS, and military institutions, to effectively address the issue.

Ibrahim’s comments come amid rising tensions in Kano, with the state government recently calling for Ganduje’s arrest over alleged incitements of bandits to attack communities. Ganduje has denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated and baseless.

The former governor has also launched the sale of registration forms for an independent Hisbah outfit, which he claims is a voluntary organization created for religious and humanitarian purposes. However, this move has been met with skepticism, with some viewing it as an attempt to undermine the current administration.

As the security situation in Kano continues to deteriorate, Ibrahim’s appeal for both Ganduje and Governor Yusuf to prioritize public safety over political interests has taken on added urgency. With the state government facing criticism for its handling of the situation, it remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to the growing insecurity and address the underlying issues driving the violence.