The Kwankwasiyya Movement has vowed to use legal and constitutional means to defend its members and other citizens against what it described as intimidation, harassment and attempts to silence opposition voices in Kano State. The movement, which is associated with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, said it would not respond to alleged intimidation with violence or encourage its supporters to take the law into their own hands.

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Dr Habibu Sale Mohammed, the group said it would rely on petitions, legal representation, judicial review and other lawful remedies to challenge what it considers violations of citizens’ rights. “We will not respond to intimidation with violence. We will not encourage our members to take the law into their own hands,” the movement said.

The statement followed concerns raised by Amnesty International over alleged arrests, detention, threats and harassment of critics of the Kano State Government. Amnesty had identified several cases involving people it said were targeted over comments and social media posts critical of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, including Abba Ibrahim Kofar Nasarawa, popularly known as Aiha K Nass.

Kwankwasiyya particularly raised concerns over the continued detention of Aiha K Nass, saying he was arrested and taken before a Sharia Court in Ungogo. According to the movement, his initial bail application was rejected before bail was later granted subject to conditions, including the provision of two serving permanent secretaries and a Kano State Government employee as sureties. The group said the conditions had prevented his release.

The movement said it had petitioned the Kano State Chief Judge and the Kano State Judicial Service Commission over the conduct and circumstances surrounding the proceedings involving its members. Reports also confirm that Kwankwasiyya representatives submitted petitions to the Chief Judge and Judicial Service Commission over what they described as selective and politically influenced application of judicial processes.

The Kano State Government, however, has rejected Amnesty International’s allegations, describing the report as misleading and one-sided. The government said freedom of expression is constitutionally protected but argued that the right does not provide immunity where alleged conduct violates existing laws. It maintained that security agencies have a responsibility to investigate alleged offences while courts are responsible for determining guilt or innocence.

Kwankwasiyya called on the Kano State Government, security agencies and judicial authorities to respect citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and association. The movement also urged an impartial review of cases involving people allegedly detained or prosecuted over political expression and called on the judiciary to maintain its independence and ensure fair treatment for everyone appearing before the courts. It urged its members and supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.