Former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has firmly denied any connection to the disappearance of activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.
Ganduje’s response follows recent remarks reportedly made by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who allegedly suggested that the ex-Kano governor was involved in the activist’s disappearance.
In a statement released on Saturday and signed by former Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Muhammad Garba, Ganduje described the accusation as baseless and politically motivated.
He argued that the incident occurred in Kaduna State and therefore fell under the jurisdiction of authorities operating there at the time.
Garba noted that Dadiyata lived in Kaduna and was known for his vocal criticism of the Kaduna State government. According to the statement, there is no substantiated evidence linking the activist’s activities primarily to Kano State or to Ganduje personally.
The statement emphasized that security responsibility within Kaduna rested with the state government and federal security agencies deployed there during the period in question. It also called for caution in making serious accusations, insisting that claims of such gravity should be supported by verifiable facts rather than political exchanges.
Garba warned that introducing Ganduje’s name into the matter without proof risks politicising an already sensitive and unresolved case, potentially complicating efforts to uncover the truth.
He further defended Ganduje’s record in office, asserting that during his two terms as governor, Kano maintained an environment that tolerated dissent, media scrutiny, and opposition voices. He claimed there were no documented cases of journalists or critics being targeted or harassed under Ganduje’s administration.
The statement also referenced previous public commentary by figures such as Shehu Sani and Reno Omokri concerning the case, while questioning El-Rufai’s alleged claim that a police officer confessed to being sent from Kano to abduct Dadiyata. Garba asked why such information, if credible, was not formally presented to investigative authorities at the time.
While expressing sympathy for Dadiyata’s family, Ganduje’s camp stressed that the priority should be a transparent and lawful investigation aimed at establishing the truth.
They urged anyone with credible information to submit it to the appropriate security agencies rather than engage in public accusations.