NNPP Condemns Harassment, Attempts to Arrest Kano Media DG

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has expressed strong opposition to the continued harassment and attempts to arrest Mallam Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, the Director-General of Media and Publicity for the Kano State Government.

In a statement released on Wednesday in Kano, the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, accused the Nigeria Police of acting on directives from Abuja to apprehend Dawakin-Tofa despite a court injunction restraining such actions.

Johnson alleged that the arrest attempts are linked to a petition reportedly filed by former Kano State Governor and National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, or individuals acting on his behalf.

Describing the situation as a violation of the rule of law, Johnson revealed that Dawakin-Tofa had gone into hiding to avoid what he termed an unlawful arrest. He also condemned the potential harassment of Dawakin-Tofa’s family members.

“As the general public can see, the situation in Kano is now degenerating into chaos with such abuse of power, intimidation, and harassment of state government officials,” Johnson said.

“It is deeply troubling and unfortunate. This, I dare say, comes from a party peddling the illusion that it can attract foreign investors to the country.

Pray tell, how many investors would choose to operate in a society where the rule of law is flagrantly abused by institutions meant to uphold it?

“Since there is a court injunction restraining the Police, further attempts to arrest Sanusi cast a terrible slur on the image of the Nigeria Police.

It is a sad reminder of similar actions during the regrettable power struggle in Kano over the Emirate saga.

Perhaps, at some point, the ruling party will recognise the extent to which their leadership has tarnished their brand, particularly in Northern Nigeria.”

The NNPP called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure that the Police remain impartial and avoid being drawn into partisan politics.

The party also urged him to restrain his officers from further harassment of Dawakin-Tofa, emphasizing that his fundamental human rights are protected under the law and must be upheld.