In a victory for democratic rights within political parties, a Kano High Court has issued an order restraining the police and security agencies from arresting or harassing the APC ward officers who suspended former Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje from the party.
Justice Yusuf Ubale Muhammad has issued a temporary ban. It stops the Inspector General of Police, the Kano Assistant IGP, the State Commissioner of Police, the APC National Working Committee, Kano APC, and Ganduje from using security forces. They can’t detain or intimidate ward officers. This ban lasts until a full case hearing.
The court order is a blow to Ganduje and the APC’s efforts. They were trying to punish and silence these officers. Why? Just for exercising their party rights. As party members, these officers were suspended. The suspension was over corruption and mismanagement allegations during Ganduje’s governorship in Dawakin-Tofa.
The state APC chairman reportedly bypassed party rules. He ordered security agencies to arrest ward executives. This action overstepped his power. It also went against democracy and due process.
The court has intervened. It aims to protect these grassroots party officers. They were in danger of having their rights violated. This was just for voicing concerns about a party leader’s actions. Everyone should be free to express political opinions through proper party channels. They should not face arbitrary arrest and detention.
Ganduje and the party can challenge the suspension in court, but using state forces to target internal dissenters goes against democracy. It’s a worrying sign that political parties might abuse law enforcement to silence their own members. The court order gives relief and safeguards the rights of these APC ward officers. Now, we must question if law enforcement went too far by preparing arrests at the request of party officials in a party dispute.
All political parties must respect the democratic rights of their stakeholders and membership. Attempting to criminalize internal party dissent is a line that should never be crossed. The Kano court has upheld this crucial principle, for now.
Reference
Court Halts Arrest Of APC Ward Officers Behind Ganduje’s Suspension published in Channels By Sadiq Ilyasu