Police cancel political rallies in Kano as violence escalates between APC, NNPP supporters

The Kano State Police Command has cancelled all political rallies in the state following clashes between supporters of the All Progressive Congress, APC, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The APC and NNPP supporters engaged in a fierce battle ahead of Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections.

The police authorities had invited the leadership of the trio of APC, PDP, and NNPP for an emergency meeting where they were cautioned of possible security threats in the state.

According to Daily Trust, a source in the security circle revealed that representatives of APC and NNPP rejected the advice, but the police stood their ground.

DCP Muhammed, who confirmed the rally cancellation in a statement said, “You recall that (three) political parties via APC, NNPP, and PDP informed the command of their rallies scheduled for Thursday, February 23, 2023, within Kano metropolis.

“In view of the precarious security situation in the state and the country in general, the commissioner of Police summoned the representatives of the three political parties to an emergency meeting to find a solution to the impasse.

“It is therefore advice that all political parties postpone the planned presidential/national assembly rallies to a later date after the February 25 elections,” .

Earlier, unidentified hoodlums attacked supporters of NNPP along Zaria road and set several vehicles ablaze.

The supporters were on their way to Kwanar Dangora to welcome Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the NNPP and former governor of the state, who was concluding his campaign rally.

Leaders of the APC had said that the party intended to commence its rally at Club road while the NNPP intended to start its at Kwanar Dangora and proceed to Kwankwaso’s residence at Miller Road which is off Club road.

Thugs wielding various dangerous weapons have been moving around freely in the city since Monday, leaving behind several victims, Daily Trust reports.

Many of the residents said they fear a repeat of the 2019 election violence which left several people killed or injured while property worth millions of Naira were destroyed.