By Aliyu Askira
Kano
Tension is mounting in Kano and environs over tomorrow’s local government election which would take place in the 44 local governments as so far seven persons have been killed.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Kano, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone I, Alhaji Muhammed Tambari Yabo, vowed to deal “ruthlessly with those who will want to cause trouble in tomorrow’s election, whoever is sponsoring them.”
He said: “I m aware and I have seen it armed youth with dangerous weapons during rallies; at one of such rallies near the emir’s palace we were told some people were slaughtered like rams, while in some local governments, people were killed, houses burnt and property destroyed. This most not repeat itself on Saturday.”
Yabo added that “only, police personnel, army, civil defence, and other branches of the security agencies will be allowed to participate in Saturday’s election, vigilante and Hisbah guards will not be allowed to monitor the election as they are not recognised by the electoral law.”
Also speaking, Kano KANSIEC chairman, Dr. Sani Lawan Malumfashi, said any politician that used money, thugs or other irresponsible group of people during Saturday’s local govt election would be arrested and his election cancelled.
He added that the Commission had mandated the Kano Radio, Freedom Radio, Express Radio and Wazobia Cool FM to be the media that would be announcing Saturday’s results.
“Anybody that announces fake results will be dealt with by security agencies,” he said, adding that the Commission would be fair to all contestants.
Kano state Governor, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in an address to the APC stakeholders, called on Kano people to vote APC throughout and prove to him that they had benefited immensely from his administration.