By Sani Idris Abdulrahman
A group, under the aegis of Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Discussion Forum, has lamented the recent outbreak of politically motivated violence in Kebbi State.
Addressing a press briefing on Thursday in Kaduna, Muhammad Imam, the Director Media and Public Affairs of the forum, said it is deeply troubling, especially considering Kebbi state's history as one of the more peaceful states in Northern Nigeria.
He added that the rising tensions, particularly involving former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, have forced the forum to break silence and address the growing unrest.
Imam noted that Nigeria's democracy was hard-won, built on sacrifices by individuals who gave up their freedoms, and in some cases, their lives to secure the civil liberties enjoyed today.
He emphasised that violence is becoming the default language of political expression in some parts of the North, adding that the alarming trend must be halted before it spirals out of control.
Imam lamented the fact that in spite prevailing security challenges such as terrorism, banditry, and farmer-herder conflicts, political actors are now fueling new waves of instability in the region.
He therefore stressed the need for urgent action by security agencies, particularly in Kebbi, where law enforcement has shown worrying signs of inconsistency and laxity compared to other states like Kaduna.
He called on the Police Service Commission to review its approach in Kebbi, especially regarding their insistence on the physical appearance of former Governor Bagudu, which they alleged, seems politically motivated.
Imam also said the case of Abubakar Malami is particularly worrisome, as his entry into Kebbi was marred by violence and threatening rhetoric, contrary to his public claim of a condolence visit.
He said footage circulating online shows clearly armed youths accompanying Malami through town, escalating tensions and eventually sparking violent clashes that left many injured and property damaged.
He added that as a former top legal officer of the country, Malami should have known better than to mobilise an unruly crowd, let alone rely on them for protection during a volatile period.
Imam noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to lift the ban on political campaigns, making such politically charged gatherings not only illegal but dangerous.
He emphasised that politicians must not exploit the region’s democratic space to incite violence, especially when the North is already grappling with overwhelming insecurity and economic distress.
Imam lamented the selective responsiveness of law enforcement agencies, praising the proactive stance taken in Kaduna, but condemning the silence and inaction in the face of chaos in Kebbi.
He therefore urged the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force to act decisively, before Kebbi State becomes a new epicentre of political violence in Northern Nigeria.
He called on civil society organisations and the media to pay closer attention to developments in the state, warning that silence and indifference could embolden more actors like Malami.
Imam also said it is no longer just about political rivalries, but about safeguarding the fragile unity and democracy of a nation still struggling with systemic instability and insecurity.
He said if urgent steps are not taken to hold instigators accountable, the violence in Kebbi may spill into neighbouring states, triggering a chain reaction of unrest across the region.
He added that what happened in Kogi, Katsina, and Kaduna are serious, but Kebbi stands out because of the involvement of a figure who should know the weight of the law and constitutional order.
Imam noted that the North cannot afford to regress into violence every election season, especially at a time when the youth need peace, jobs, and leadership, not bloodshed and fear.
He reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to peace, democracy, and the rule of law, while calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to speak out and resist the politicisation of violence.
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