AbduRahman Kawu Sumaila, a senatorial candidate for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), claimed that the attitude of ruling governments denying opposition parties access to public areas for campaigns is nothing more than erratic politicking.
Speaking at the Kano State Peace Summit on Tuesday, AbduRahman Kawu Sumaila claimed that the opposition had attempted to use public spaces on numerous occasions but had always been rejected.
“We just put our banners on a regular street light at Rano Local Government during our campaigning period last week, but before we knew it, they were taken down with a warning not to do it again,” he recalled.
Sumaila made a suggestion that the issue with the election may be that some politicians are given preference over others since they act and say whatever they want without regard to others.
“Not until the security and the election umpire allows a true playing ground and act quickly against anybody no matter his class or position, can we will agree that the conduct would be free, fair and just”.
The purpose of the Summit, according to State Police Commissioner Mamman Dauda, is to educate political stakeholders about the dangers of violence and hate speech that destabilize the state.
CP Mamman Dauda pointed out that they also gathered politicians, ulama, and representatives of civil society to remind them of the electoral rules’ clauses that clearly prohibit hate speech and violent campaigning.
Ibrahim Waiya, the State Chairman of the Civil Societies Forum, pleaded with the Nigeria Police to be impartial and make sure that anyone seen making ordinary, unprotected speech is detained and charged appropriately.
“We have seen so many bigwigs in the political circle making unremarkable, unguided and hate speeches, but up till this moment we have not heard that anybody is arrested, this is not good. the conduct of the Police must be seen, regardless of who violates the rules.
The Leader of the Sunni in the State, Sheikh AbdulWahab Abdallah, urged the Nigeria Police to make sure that anyone discovered supplying narcotics to adolescents as part of their political campaign be apprehended and dealt with.
