The Department of State Services (DSS) has warned against the destruction of campaign posters and billboards in Kano metropolis in the last weeks, saying that it is capable of upsetting the relative peace the State is enjoying.
There has been renewed tensions in Kano State following the internal crisis within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) between the Deputy Governorship candidate, Murtala Sule-Garo and the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, earlier in the month. This has degenerated into the destruction of campaign posters and billboards belonging to the party, which in turn heightened security concerns in the state.
But speaking on Thursday at a meeting organised by the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano State for political parties and other stakeholders, the Director of DSS, Kano Command, Alhassan Muhammad, said the secret police and other sister agencies would henceforth crack down on anyone found carrying out such destruction or any other activities that could threaten the peace in the state.
On his part, the new INEC REC, Ambassador Zango Abdu, reiterated the commission’s resolve to ensure a level playing ground for all parties in the forthcoming election.
The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Dauda, who was also recently posted to the state, also assured that the police would remain neutral and non-partisan in the election, while also promising to further engage the political parties and other stakeholders.