By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria Police on Thursday announced a suspension in political rallies after supporters of two major political parties, the All Progressive Congress (APC) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) clashed on Wednesday
Both parties had fixed Thursday for their grand rallies in readiness for the Saturday presidential and National Assembly elections. Kano is home to one of the leading presidential candidates, Musa Kwankwaso who is also the leader of NNPP.
APC is the ruling party in the state and both parties have engaged in verbal attacks over the polls barely 48 hours away and the state elections coming up on March 11.
Authorities of the state command of the Nigeria police had invited the trio of APC, PDP and NNPP for an emergency meeting where they were cautioned of possible breach of security and public peace.
A Deputy Commissioner of Police in Kano identified as Muhammad while confirming the suspension of rallies 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,” .
A source told our correspondent that while representative of APC and NNPC kicked against the police advice to suspend rallies, the representative of the PDP supported it but the police insisted on its implementation.
A group of young men had 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 who was also a governor in the state to its grand finale rally.
Our correspondent authoritatively gathered that while APC intended to commence its rally at Club Road, the NNPP intended to start its grand finale campaign at Kwanar Dangora and proceed to Kwankwaso’s residence at Miller Road which is off Club road.
