Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election has commended the Nigerian police for reversing its invitation His Royal Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Describing the decision as timely, the former Anambra governor the move was necessary considering the “current tensions within our society.
According to him,, such an invitation was unnecessary and could have further heightened an already inflamed situation.”
“There is a fully functional police command in Kano, with sufficient capacity to address such matters within the State,” he said.
“That is precisely why we have senior-ranking officers, including Commissioners of Police and Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs), to handle issues of this nature appropriately at the state and zonal levels.”
“Once again, I appreciate the decision to withdraw the invitation. A decentralised approach would encourage peace and public trust.”
Truthlive News recalls that Lamido Sanusi had been summoned to Abuja, the nation’s capital, over an alleged murder during the last sallah festivities in Kano.
The police in Kano had earlier said they were probing the killing of a man during the procession on Sunday.
In a letter dated 4 April, signed by Olajide Ibitoye, a Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr Sanusi was invited following a directive of the Inspector-General of Police.
The letter requested the emir to report to the Force Intelligence Department headquarters in Abuja on 8 April, by 10 a.m.
Violence had erupted as Emir Sanusi’s entourage made its way back to the palace.
According to reports say some hoodlums threw sachets of water on the emir, which triggered violence that was promptly quelled by the police. Teargas was fired to disperse the rowdy crowd.