Ganduje cancels plan to establish independent Hisbah group in Kano
Kola Oyelere, Kano
Former Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has suspended plans to establish an independent Hisbah group known as Hisbah Fisabilillahi in Kano State.
Ganduje had earlier announced his intention to recruit about 12,000 members into the proposed independent Hisbah outfit, which he said was aimed at supporting security efforts in the state. However, the Kano State Government swiftly rejected the idea, describing it as a potential risk to peace and security, especially amid prevailing insecurity in some local government areas.
The state government maintained that no individual has the authority to establish an independent Hisbah organisation, stressing that the power to create and regulate such a security outfit rests solely with the state government.
The suspension of the plan was announced on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Director-General of the National Productivity Centre and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Alhaji Baffa Babba Dan Agundi.
According to the statement, the decision followed a stakeholders’ meeting involving representatives from the state’s 44 local government areas, which was held at the Tinubu Campaign Office in Kano.
The statement noted that the plan was suspended after widespread public reactions and concerns were raised over the proposed establishment of the independent Hisbah group. It added that key stakeholders, including the Kano State Government, the Department of State Services (DSS), and Dr. Ganduje himself, intervened to prevent any action that could threaten peace and stability in the state.
“The stakeholders resolved to suspend the plan in order to allow the Kano State Government to review the disengagement of some Hisbah personnel and address the issue through dialogue and mutual understanding,” the statement said.
It further reaffirmed respect for the legally constituted Kano State Hisbah Board and pledged continued support for constituted security agencies in maintaining law and order, as well as safeguarding lives and property in Kano State and across the country.