Gov Abba Yusuf Probes Ganduje, Doguwa

• • Inaugurates two Judicial Commissions of Inquiry

In a move seen as calling to question the administration of Alhjai Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his predecessor, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has inaugurated two Judicial Commissions of Inquiry (JCIs) to probe cases of misappropriation of public property, political violence, and missing persons in the State between 2015 and 2023.

Governor Yusuf, who inaugurated the JCIs’ members on Thursday in Kano, vowed to bring to book anyone found wanting, stressing that it was part of the pledge made during his inaugural address to unravel and prosecute those behind cases of political violence recorded in the state before, during and after the 2015, 2019, and 2023 general elections.

According to him; “Political violence is a major setback to democracy worldwide. It leads to loss of lives and property as well as mistrust on the part of the people and those in power. The disturbing cases of political killings especially in 2023 must not be swept under the carpet, this is to ensure we prevent future occurrences.

“Similarly, we have assured the people of the state that we shall also revisit the various forms of political violence perpetrated by unscrupulous elements during and after the elections. We will never allow the blood of the innocent citizens of the state to be spilled by heartless people in the name of politics or other forms of hatred,” the governor stated.

He explained that the first Commission of Inquiry under Justice Zuwaira Yusuf will look into cases of political violence and missing persons from 2015-2023.

Forefront News recalled that during the 2023 general elections, a Member of the House of Representatives, representing the Doguwa/Tudun Wada federal constituency of the State, Ado Doguwa, was accused of masterminding the killing of some members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), which led to a reprisal attack and burning down of his house at Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu Estate.

Governor Yusuf further said; “We expect them to unravel the criminal network involved and unmask the sponsors to face justice, find its root causes, and find out where violence is associated with the 2015, 2019, and 2023 elections”.

For the second Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice Faruk Lawan, Governor Yusuf tasked members with the mandate of inquiring into cases of misappropriation of public properties and assets, urging them to work hard at identifying cases of misappropriation of public properties and assets, especially by the last administration under former Governor Umar Ganduje within and outside the state.

Explaining that the decision was neither political nor a witch-hunt targeted at any particular individual, Governor Yusuf said his administration is only carrying out the mandate given to him by the people of Kano State, even as he challenged the panels against compromising their stands.

He urged members to remain faithful to their oath and the people of Kano State by ensuring justice is done for the state, adding that members of the two commissions and their chairmen were carefully and thoroughly selected based on their impeccable records and integrity.

The governor, while expressing confidence that they would effectively deliver on their assignments as expected, said; “We went through your records and we couldn’t find any of you wanting. We believe in you and we expect your full reports in three months”.