The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Kano state chapter condemns, in strong terms, the intimidation, harassment and persecution of patent medicine sellers at the Abubakar Rimi Market, Sabon Gari by the police, at the orders of Kano state Governor, Dr. Rabi’u Muhammad Musa Kwankwaso. Our secretariat has received several complains from the drugs sellers over the Governors action which has practically put them out of business.
In its statement signed by Tobias Idika the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Kano State Chapter President said; “On Saturday, 16 March, at about 2 a.m. Governor Kwankwaso came into the market with security operatives and made attempts to demolish the shops which were legally bought by the Patent Medicine sellers. The resistance of the traders who mobilized and confronted the security men offering themselves to be killed first before the demolition forced him to renege from that unorthodox action.”
Speaking further the statement said; “Since then, Governor Kwankwaso has been ordering the arrest of the medicine sellers and seizure of their goods. The Governor is taking all these actions irrespective of a subsisting Court Order, stating that the status quo remain, that is, the medicine sellers should remain in the market. In as much as Ohanaeze Ndigbo holds Governor Kwankwaso to high esteem, we are indeed, surprise at his actions and unwholesome punishment he is meting out to the medicine sellers who are most Igbos. Even though he may have a hidden agenda, we expect an informed citizen like Governor Kwankwaso to have respect for the law.”
‘We agree that he is the Governor and First Citizen of Kano state, but we do not think it is proper for him using his position to persecute his subjects—the same people who worked for him during his electioneering campaign and massively voted him into power. It, however, beats our imagination where the Governor’s latest actions are based; and at a time we are in deep sorrow and mourning over the wicked attack at the New Road Luxury motor park, last Monday, which claimed scores of lives of our people,” Ohanaeze said.
Adding further the statement read thus; “It is also shocking that five days after the bombings at the park, Governor Kwankwaso has not deemed it fit to sympathize with our people, rather, he is adding salt to injuring by arresting and harassing Igbo patent medicine sellers. This action, to us, is totally unacceptable and we call on the Governor to immediately order the release of the medicine sellers arrested by the police and also release their goods.We also urge the Governor to stop further harassment of the medicine sellers and allow them access to their shops and other properties inside Abubakar Rimi Market. As a responsible and patriotic organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo also advise Governor Kwankwaso to lead by example by respecting and obeying Court Orders.”
