The Kwankwasiyya Movement has accused the All Progressive Congress (APC) led state government of using security agencies to intimidate and silence dissenting voices.
A second spokesperson, Mansur Umar Kurugu, who stated this in a statement, said there was a growing trend of harassment and unlawful detention of citizens for exercising their constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Kurugu said the situation has escalated after Governor Kabiru Abba Yusuf defected to the APC, adding that the development was a turning point in the state’s political climate.
“Since the defection, Kano has witnessed a disturbing pattern of using security agencies to silence critics. This is politically intolerant and undermines democratic principles,” he said.
Citing Amnesty International report, Kurugu said the repression was threatening free speech in the state.
He said some New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) politicians such Abba Ibrahim Hussain, Aminu Warkal, Samir Hanga, Abdulmajid Danbilki Kwamanda and Saifullahi Abubakar, were being victimized for criticising or satirising public officials.
The movement said criminalising dissent erodes public trust and weakens democratic institutions, adding that it was troubling that a state which produced influential leaders such as Aminu Kano, Abubakar Rimi, Sabo Bakin Zuwo and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso could witness what the group described as a retreat from issue-based politics.
The movement has vowed to continue to express its views lawfully and urged authorities to respect constitutional freedoms and ensure security agencies operate within legal bounds.
Spokesperson of the governor, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa was yet to respond to the allegations as calls to his phone lines were not successful.
