Former Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, son of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has given the state’s new Commissioner for Information, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, 48 hours to retract remarks allegedly made against him during a television programme, Gabon Talk Show, and issue a public apology or face legal action.
A video clip from the programme began circulating on social media on Monday, showing Sanusi making comments about Mustapha’s alleged drug-related problems and claiming that his father, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had taken him to several rehabilitation centres to reform his character.
In the video, Sanusi was also heard suggesting that Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso would regret Mustapha’s emergence as deputy governorship candidate.
Reacting in a statement issued on Tuesday, Mustapha, who is the deputy governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, dismissed the allegations as false and an attempt to damage his reputation.
He accused the commissioner of making claims that he had visited several rehabilitation centres in different countries, adding that the suggestion that his father established the Kiru Rehabilitation Centre because of him was equally untrue.
On the establishment of the Kiru Rehabilitation Centre, Mustapha explained that it was established during his father’s second tenure as governor of Kano State, when he was living in Dubai.
He said the centre was established as a government initiative to reform young people, rehabilitate them and help them reintegrate into society.
According to him, thousands of young people in Kano have benefited from the centre’s activities.
Mustapha also rejected claims that his father had never entrusted him with the management of Skyline University, Mewar University or his farm.
He maintained that his father raised and trained him to become self-reliant rather than depend on his wealth.
He said he had independently established several businesses, including a rice-processing factory that provides employment opportunities and contributes to Kano’s economy.
On his former appointment as Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mustapha disputed the alleged suggestion that he was appointed to reform his character.
He said his appointment was intended to enable him to serve the people of Kano State, particularly young people, rather than address any alleged personal shortcomings.
Mustapha described the alleged characterisation of his appointment as an attempt to undermine the dignity of the commissioner’s office, the State Executive Council and the young people he served.
He also questioned the purpose of Sanusi Bature’s appointment as Commissioner for Information, asking whether the office was meant to communicate government policies, programmes and achievements or to launch political attacks against opponents.
He further questioned whether the statements attributed to the commissioner represented his personal opinions or were made on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Mustapha argued that the office of the Commissioner for Information was one of public trust and should be used to keep residents informed about government activities rather than spread allegations against political opponents.
Giving details of his proposed legal action, Mustapha said:
“I hereby give Malam Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa 48 hours from Tuesday to retract the statements attributed to him and publicly apologise to me, my family and the people of Kano State.”
He warned that failure to comply would prompt his lawyers to take legal action.
Mustapha maintained that he would not allow his reputation, family name and record of public service to be undermined for political reasons.
He added that he had no intention of engaging in exchanges of insults, insisting that political debates should focus on policies, programmes and performance rather than personal attacks.