Kano Governor Abba Yusuf and ex-governor Ganduje clash over alleged plan to recruit 12,000 personnel for religious police amid rising insecurity

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje, are embroiled in a political dispute over an alleged plan to recruit 12,000 personnel for a proposed religious police outfit, Khairul Nas, to tackle insecurity in the state.

Also read: Ganduje condemns Kano government’s “Irresponsible” after arrest call

The controversy erupted after the Kano State Executive Council called for Ganduje’s arrest, describing his comments on the recruitment as “inciting and reckless.”

The council argued that the remarks could undermine ongoing security interventions by both state and federal authorities.

Kano Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, told journalists that less than 48 hours after Ganduje’s comments, suspected bandits attacked border communities, raising concerns about whether the statements were linked to the attacks.

“We don’t know what Ganduje meant with those statements. We are therefore calling for his arrest. No individual will be allowed to create an illegal militia under any guise in the state,” Waiya said.

In response, Ganduje dismissed the arrest call as politically motivated and unfounded, describing it as a “reckless, baseless” attack on his record.

Through his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, the former APC chairman accused Governor Yusuf of failing to secure lives and property across Kano State.

Ganduje highlighted security lapses in communities such as Bagwai, Shanono, and Tsanyawa, stating that these areas had suffered attacks without adequate attention from the current administration.

“It is deeply unfortunate that rather than addressing the escalating insecurity, Governor Yusuf has chosen to chase shadows while searching for scapegoats to conceal his glaring failures,” Ganduje said.

The former governor also defended his eight-year tenure, noting that Kano remained secure under his leadership and earned national commendation for safeguarding lives and property.

Ganduje urged Governor Yusuf to focus on constitutional duties rather than political theatrics.

“Leadership is demonstrated through purposeful action, responsibility, and compassion—not through press conferences and frivolous statements aimed at diverting public attention from failures,” he added.