Kano’s political atmosphere has grown tense following Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s call for the redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, with protests and counter-reactions intensifying.

While groups of youths and women lawyers have rallied behind the commissioner, another group similarly had a press conference to support the governor’s call for his removal, a political analyst has cautioned that the public spat between the two sides could fuel insecurity in the state.

Governor Yusuf had accused the commissioner of withdrawing police personnel and boycotting the Independence Day parade at Sani Abacha Stadium on October 1, describing his conduct as disrespectful.

The call for Bakori’s removal has since triggered protests, with demonstrators carrying placards declaring support for the commissioner and accusing the governor of politicising security issues.

SolaceBase recalls that this is not the first time Governor Yusuf has clashed with the state’s police leadership since assuming office in 2023.

He previously had public disagreements with former Kano State Commissioners of Police, Abubakar Gumel and Salman Dogo, and now with Bakori, highlighting a recurring pattern of tension between the governor and security heads in the state.

Speaking in an interview with SolaceBase, political and social analyst Sulaiman Ahmad said both the governor and the police were at fault for the escalation.

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He faulted the governor for making sensitive security matters public, warning that such utterances could embolden groups who thrive on unrest.

“As the chief security officer of the state, the governor should not have publicised issues of this nature. Such matters ought to remain top security secrets. His utterances will only give clues to those who don’t want peace to reign in the state,” he said.

Ahmad noted that there appeared to be a communication gap between the government and security agencies, stressing the need for mutual understanding.

According to him, the governor had several channels to resolve the issue rather than going public.

“We have the DIG, AIG, and even military generals in Kano. The governor should have invited them to discuss the challenges he was facing. If the matter persisted, he could reach out to the Senate President, the National Security Adviser, or even seek an audience with the President,” he explained.

On the commissioner’s side, Ahmad faulted his interpretation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Independence Day directive, saying it was misleading.

He argued that while Tinubu cancelled parades at the federal level, it was not binding on state governments.

“Tinubu can suspend his own celebration in Abuja, but any governor may still choose to hold a parade or deliver a speech.

The commissioner allegedly twisted the president’s statement to justify the boycott in Kano, which was wrong,” he added.

Similarly, ”We’re not in the know of his instruction from the headquarters or security information at his disposal that is not known to the public.

Ahmad also expressed concern over the street protests in solidarity with the commissioner, describing them as unusual and potentially dangerous.

“Had the protest been about opposing his removal, that would have been understandable. But a protest in support of a police commissioner is strange and an indication that people may be preparing to exploit the rift. This could be hijacked by politicians or thugs, turning into unrest,” he warned.

He cautioned that if the matter is not resolved amicably, it could spiral into a crisis that no one might be able to control, with dire consequences for Kano’s fragile peace.