Kano govt sacks commissioner, adviser over death threats to tribunal judges

Sept 16, 2023 -The Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has sacked the Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Adamu Kibiya, for issuing death threats to the tribunal judges hearing the governorship election petitions in the state.

Similarly, the governor also sacked the Special Adviser on Youths and Sports, Yusuf Imam, for making unguarded statements against the person of the Vice President, Kashim Shattima.

Recall that during his address to members of the New Nigeria People’s Party on Thursday at a special prayer session, Kibiya stated, “Any judge that allows himself to be used and collect bribes and pass judgment that is not right, we want to tell him he must choose between his life and the bribe money he collected.”

The state commissioner for Information, Baba Dantiye announced the sacking of the two government officials while addressing a news conference on Friday night.

“The attention of the Kano State Government has been drawn to videos trending on social media platforms featuring the state Commissioner of Land and Physical Planning, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Kibiya making threatening statements on judges of the Tribunal, while that of the Special Adviser on Youth and Sport, Alhaji Yusuf Imam making unguarded and disrespectful statements on His Excellency Alhaji Kashim Shettima GCON, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“While condemning the unfortunate threat to the judges and the disrespect shown to the VP, we wish to make it categorically clear that the views expressed do not represent the official position of the State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.

“It is important to emphasise that neither of the two officials has any clearance to speak on behalf of the government and neither of them serves as the official spokesperson of the government,” the commissioner said.

Dantiye said the Kano State Government under the governor, holds the judiciary in very high esteem and expresses a tremendous amount of respect to justices and all judicial officers.

“Besides the good understanding between the government and people of Kano State and Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Kano State governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf deeply respects the person and office of the Vice President, His Excellency Alhaji Kashim Shettima GCON and will not condone any iota of disrespect on the Vice President or any other Nigerian leader.

“For these reasons, the governor of Kano State has relieved the two officials of their appointment with immediate effect: Commissioner of Land and Physical Planning, Alh Adamu A. Kibiya, and the Special Adviser on Youth and Sport, Alh Yusuf Imam.”

Dantiye added, “The Kano State Government has also directed that, henceforth, no official of government should speak on any matter outside the purview of their Ministries, Departments and Agencies without express clearance and permission. Henceforth, unguarded and inflammatory statements will not be condoned.

“The Ministry of Information is directed to ensure that all media outlets in the state especially radio stations are complying with the extant guidelines provided by regulatory agencies.

“While expressing our faith in the judicial process, believing very strongly that justice will prevail at all the levels of judicial processes, the Kano State Government wishes to call on all residents in the state to remain law-abiding and continue to go about their normal businesses without any hindrances.”