The Kano Patriotic CSOs Coalition Forum (KPCF) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in the growing political and traditional tensions in Kano State, warning that failure to address the situation could lead to a wider crisis and social unrest.
In an open letter dated October 8, 2026, addressed to the President, the coalition called for impartial federal intervention, stronger security monitoring, respect for judicial proceedings and an inclusive peace dialogue involving political, traditional, religious and community leaders.
The letter was signed by the coalition’s three conveners: Hassan Ibrahim Gama, Mustapha Muhammed Chiroma and Peter Hassan Tijjani.
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The coalition said Kano had reached a critical point amid continuing disagreements surrounding the Kano Emirate, inflammatory public statements, allegations of political intimidation and recent incidents involving campaign materials and public security.
It urged Tinubu to use the constitutional authority of his office to encourage restraint among stakeholders and prevent the disputes from escalating into violence.
Concerns Over Political Statements And Alleged Firearm Display
The coalition expressed concern over statements attributed to Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba and Senior Counsellor to Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, describing them as particularly concerning given the prevailing political atmosphere.
It said prominent traditional and community figures had a responsibility to use their influence to promote peace, tolerance, unity and social cohesion.
KPCF also raised concerns over a viral video allegedly showing Hon. Aminu Abdullahi Warkal, an NDC candidate for the Kano State House of Assembly representing Gwale Constituency, displaying a firearm suspected to be a pump-action rifle during a political gathering in the Janbulo area of Gwale.
The Kano State Police Command confirmed that Warkal was invited for questioning following the circulation of the video. Police said an investigation was ongoing and that the alleged conduct, if established, could violate the Firearms Act and threaten public peace and security.
The coalition stressed that the allegations must be handled in accordance with due process, regardless of Warkal’s political affiliation or status.
It called on political parties, traditional institutions, religious leaders, community influencers and their supporters to avoid hate speech, threats, intimidation, inflammatory rhetoric and any conduct capable of provoking violence.
According to the coalition, political differences should not become grounds for confrontation or threats to the safety and dignity of citizens.
It urged all stakeholders to promote dialogue, respect opposing views and ensure that political participation remained peaceful as activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify.
Coalition Raises Alarm Over Durbar Incident
The KPCF also expressed concern over the reported incident surrounding a recent public procession by the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, during which campaign posters and billboards bearing the images of President Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf were reportedly destroyed.
Media reports said the incident occurred during Bayero’s procession through parts of the Kano metropolis, amid the continuing dispute over the emirate and restrictions on public Durbar and horse-riding activities.
The coalition acknowledged reports that Bayero subsequently apologised to Governor Yusuf over the incident, describing the reported apology as a potentially important gesture towards reducing tensions.
However, it argued that an apology alone would not necessarily address the broader concerns arising from the incident.
KPCF called on the relevant authorities to establish the facts and ensure that anyone found responsible for an offence was dealt with according to the law, irrespective of political, traditional or social status.
The coalition maintained that political campaign materials formed part of democratic expression and that their unlawful destruction, like other forms of intimidation or violence, should not be normalised.
It also urged authorities to ensure that political parties, campaign organisations and their supporters received equal protection under the law.
Calls For Restraint In Kano Emirate Dispute
The coalition expressed particular concern over what it described as the continuing politicisation of the Kano Emirate dispute.
It acknowledged that the disagreement had generated strong emotions across the state and that aspects of the matter had been subjected to judicial consideration, including proceedings before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The forum urged political appointees and government officials at both federal and state levels to refrain from inflammatory statements or partisan interventions in matters before the courts.
It said the judiciary should be allowed to discharge its constitutional responsibilities without political pressure, intimidation or public mobilisation.
The coalition called on all parties to allow the courts to determine the legal questions before them and to respect the outcome of the judicial process.
It further urged political leaders to focus their campaigns on governance and development rather than personalities, traditional institutions or other issues capable of deepening divisions among the people of Kano.
Nine-Point Appeal To President Tinubu
In its appeal, KPCF asked President Tinubu to take a series of preventive measures aimed at reducing tensions and safeguarding peace in Kano State.
Among other demands, the coalition urged the President to:
- Intervene urgently and encourage all parties to exercise maximum restraint.
- Direct security and intelligence agencies to monitor developments and take preventive measures against violence, intimidation, hate speech and destruction of property.
- Urge federal and state political appointees to avoid unnecessary partisan involvement in the emirate dispute, particularly in matters before the courts.
- Reaffirm judicial independence and encourage all parties to respect judicial proceedings and decisions.
- Ensure equal protection for political parties and campaign organisations, including investigations into the reported destruction of campaign posters and billboards.
- Ensure accountability under the law for anyone found responsible for violence, regardless of political or traditional affiliation.
- Encourage traditional, religious, political and community leaders to publicly commit themselves to peaceful conduct and responsible communication throughout the political campaign period.
- Facilitate an inclusive peace dialogue involving the federal and Kano State governments, traditional institutions, political parties, security agencies, religious leaders, women and youth representatives, and civil society organisations.
- Encourage issue-based political campaigns focused on governance and development rather than personal disputes or divisive traditional matters.
The coalition said the measures were necessary to prevent existing disagreements from developing into a wider security challenge.
‘Kano Is Too Important To Nigeria’
The forum warned that Kano’s importance as a major commercial, cultural, political and social centre meant that any serious crisis in the state could have consequences beyond its borders.
It described the current situation as an early-warning stage and argued that timely, impartial intervention could help prevent a more serious confrontation.
According to KPCF, Kano’s stability is important not only to its residents but also to neighbouring states and the wider Northern region.
The coalition appealed to Tinubu to use the moral authority and constitutional powers of his office to reinforce the principles of peace, democratic participation, freedom of expression, respect for traditional institutions, protection of political rights and the rule of law.
It also called on all parties to avoid provocative statements and actions and to place the peace and stability of Kano above personal, political or institutional interests.
“Kano belongs to all its people. Its peace must not become a casualty of political competition or institutional disagreements,” the coalition said.
The forum reaffirmed its commitment to working with the federal and state governments, security agencies, traditional institutions, political parties and other stakeholders to promote peaceful coexistence and respect for the rule of law.
It concluded by urging the President to act before tensions escalated into a crisis, expressing hope that peace would continue to prevail in Kano State and Nigeria.