Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has vowed to institute legal proceedings against media organisations, particularly radio stations, that continue to air what he described as baseless and defamatory statements targeting his administration and political allies.
The governor issued the warning on Sunday during the maiden meeting between his administration and 444 ward councillors in the state, expressing displeasure over recent media content that he said falsely portrayed his government in a bad light.
Yusuf’s reaction follows a viral video in which the immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, alleged that he was removed from office for refusing to remit a purported N2 billion monthly allocation to the leader of the Kwankwasiyya political movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Bichi further claimed the governor pleaded with him to comply before his eventual dismissal.
The claims, which have since gained traction on various media platforms, especially radio stations in the state, were described by Yusuf as “unfounded and malicious.”
He accused Bichi of attempting to tarnish the image of Kwankwaso, who is the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
“We will not hesitate to take legal action against any media house that gives airtime or platform to individuals like Baffa Bichi to propagate falsehood and baseless allegations against our leaders,” Yusuf said. “This cannot be allowed to continue.”
The governor also questioned Bichi’s mental stability, stating: “I think Baffa Bichi is mentally unstable because most of what he is attacking us with are baseless, unfounded insinuations that have no place in the running of an administration.”
He further defended his decision to appoint Bichi despite opposition from religious and community stakeholders, saying it was done in the spirit of inclusivity and reconciliation.
Reacting to Bichi’s allegation against Kwankwaso, Yusuf said: “Kwankwaso has gone through life, rising through the ranks politically and otherwise, including being one of the most senior Federal Ministers of Defence, a two-time governor and a senator. You cannot point to anywhere he has done anything wrong.”
In a dramatic turn, the governor threatened to remove Bichi’s name from the list of recognised indigenes of Kano State, citing persistent attacks on political, religious, and traditional leaders of the state.
The development has sparked fresh debate within Kano’s political space, as stakeholders await whether the threatened legal action will materialise.
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