APC, Kwankwasiyya Movement trade accusations over Rogo disturbance
Kola Oyelere Kano
The Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Kwankwasiyya Movement have exchanged accusations following a disturbance that reportedly occurred in Ruwan Bago Ward of Rogo Local Government Area of Kano State.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement, associated with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), had earlier alleged that armed political thugs linked to the ruling APC disrupted a peaceful political gathering organised by its members in the area.
However, the APC rejected the allegation, describing it as baseless and an attempt to drag the party into the internal crisis of the NNPP.
The party’s Publicity Secretary in Kano State, Hon. Auwalu Soja Gwale, made the position known in a statement made available to journalists in Kano.
According to the statement, the APC noted with concern a statement issued by a faction of the NNPP accusing the party of involvement in the incident.
Gwale said the APC remained a law-abiding political organisation committed to peaceful democratic engagement and respectful political competition, stressing that the party had never sanctioned or encouraged violence against members of any political party.
He added that it was surprising that the NNPP chose to accuse the APC instead of addressing what the party described as internal tensions arising from alleged defections and political realignments within its ranks.
The APC also expressed support for a thorough and impartial investigation by relevant security agencies into the reported disturbance, noting that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law regardless of political affiliation.
The party further urged political actors in Kano State to avoid actions or statements capable of escalating tensions, stressing that political disagreements should not degenerate into violence.
Meanwhile, the Kwankwasiyya Movement had earlier condemned the alleged attack on members of the NNPP during the political gathering in Rogo.
In a statement issued in Kano, the spokesperson of the movement, Dr. Habibu Sale Muhammad, alleged that armed political thugs linked to the APC stormed the venue and violently disrupted the meeting.
Muhammad said the gathering was organised to formally receive prominent defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the NNPP and that security agencies had been notified before the event.
He alleged that the disruption left more than eleven people injured, including the NNPP chairman in Rogo Local Government, a PDP defector described as a former National Assembly candidate, and several other supporters.
According to him, at least three vehicles and other property belonging to members were also vandalised during the incident.
Muhammad described the attack as a “premeditated act of political intimidation” aimed at discouraging defections and growing support for the Kwankwasiyya Movement in the state.
He further alleged that similar incidents had occurred in Tudun Wada and Doguwa local government areas, claiming that repeated attacks by political thugs had created a pattern of violence.
The movement called on security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, to investigate the incident and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Muhammad added that the Kwankwasiyya Movement remained committed to peaceful political engagement but maintained that its supporters had the constitutional right to defend themselves against unlawful attacks.