The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Mr. Ussain Gumel, says he has never disrespected the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, contrary to the allegations leveled against him on Saturday.
The Kano State Government had earlier accused the commissioner of the state Police Command of trying to undermine the constitutional authority of the governor.
Mr. Haruna Dederi, the state attorney general and commissioner of justice, made the allegation in Kano while briefing the press on recent developments over the emirship tussle in the state.
“I am compelled to ask the question: who is usurping the authority of the Commander-in-Chief? Some people are dishing out directives to security chiefs in the state so much so that the State Police Commissioner, without any consultation with the Chief Security Officer of the State or approval from the State Security Council, issued an order banning Eid-el-Kabir festivities in Kano State.
“How can anybody, in his right senses, ban Sallah festivities in Kano? When did the State Governor cease to be the Chief Security Officer of the State that he will only see such a ban on social media?
Who is pushing the State Commissioner of Police to usurp the authority of the Governor? It is important to stress that the Commissioner of Police has been consistent in disobeying the legitimate instructions of the Governor as Chief Security Officer, hiding behind orders from above. I ask again, What is the offense of Kano people that the Nigeria Police penciled them for destruction?” He asked.
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He expressed surprise that the governor only got to hear of such a ban through social media.
But when contacted, Gumel expressed shock and surprise at the statement by the State Attorney General accusing him of disrespecting the executive orders of Governor Abba Yusuf and taking instructions from unknown sources.
Gumel told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that the accusations were unfounded, as he had never been disloyal to the governor.
The CP defended his track record as a champion of community safety and sustainable peace, citing his efforts to rid Kano State of criminals.
He expressed confidence that members of the public would vindicate him and justify his position in the Kano Emirate saga.
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“I mean well for Kano State, and my actions speak louder than words.
“We urge them to remain apart and respect the court order,” he said.
The CP said that the command would want to see continued collaboration and cooperation from all stakeholders so as to collectively work toward building a safer and more secure environment.
Earlier, Mr. Haruna Dederi, the state attorney general and commissioner of justice, noted a recent ruling by a Federal High Court sitting in Kano on the deposition of the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.
The court had declared that Bayero’s rights were infringed upon as he was placed under house arrest.
It also awarded N10 million in costs against the state government, in Bayero’s favor.
Dederi faulted the court’s claim that Bayero’s fundamental rights were infringed upon. He declared the state’s intention to appeal against the ruling.
“In our view, no fundamental rights of Bayero were infringed upon.
“No one forced him into Gidan Nasarawa, belonging to the state government.
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“He went in there and stayed on his own volition, accompanied by security guards. No one put him under house arrest.
“The state governor has the constitutional duty to ensure the protection of lives and properties.
“When Bayero came in, accompanied by hoodlums, he (the governor) had a duty to act; that was why he issued an arrest order.
“Even then, the arrest was never affected by the security agencies,” he said.
He said that Bayero was staying in Nasarawa “against the instruction of the state government.”.
“So, any claim of breach of the fundamental human rights of Bayero cannot be made against the government of Kano State,” he said.
Dederi pointed out that Bayero was not the first emir to be deposed in the history of northern Nigeria, asserting that if his rights were being infringed in any way, “it must be by those that smuggled him into the city and kept him in Nasarawa.”.
He regretted that “surreptitious and clandestine” moves were being made to undermine the authority of the governor and take over the control of the state.
He called on all Democrats in the country to prevail on those concerned to allow the people of Kano to live in peace.
“Any attempt by anybody to cause chaos in Kano is an assault on democracy,” he declared.