The proposed visit by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso to Kano State scheduled for Tuesday has been suspended.
The suspension followed the intervention of some “well-meaning Nigerians” who prevailed on him.
The suspension was announced by the Chairman of Kwankwaso Visit Reception Committee, Dr. Rabi’u Bichi, in Kano on Monday.
His words: “This standoff has attracted the attention of well meaning Nigerians at home and abroad.
‘’They have called to give advice that mostly borders on the preservation of lives and property of our supporters and admirers.
“In view of the above and after lengthy consultations with well meaning Nigerians, we painfully have decided to shelve the visit at the moment.”
Bichi who also appealed to the supporters of Kwankwaso to remain calm even if there were provocations said “it is important to state that Kwankwaso’s visit will never be a reason to deliberately inconvenience any citizen, small or big let alone spill a drop of blood.”
It would be recalled that Kano State Police Command advised Kwankwaso to suspend his planned visit to Kano State on January 30 because of the tension associated with it.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Rabiu Yusuf, made this known when speaking with journalists.
He said going by the information at its disposal, his visit might be hijacked by hoodlums with the intention of causing mayhem.
He said although the senator had the right of movement or association as enshrined in the constitution, the action of the police was to prevent disorder.
His words: “There is no doubt, the Senator as a citizen of this country has the constitutional right of association, assembly, and above all, movement.
“However, credible information at the disposal of the command reveals that the proposed visit has generated palpable fears in the minds of the people of Kano State.’’
Stressing the responsibility of the police to ensure peace continued to reign, he gave the assurance that the police was ready to allow for a level-playing field for all politicians.
“Any action or inaction by any person or group of persons that may jeopardise the relative peace the state is currently enjoying must be averted.
“It is the advice of the command that such a visit should be shelved by Sen Rabi’u Kwankwaso, until the tension generated by the planned visit is doused,’’ he said.
