Former Governor of Kano, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has strongly rejected allegations linking him to the disappearance of activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.

Ganduje was responding to claims reportedly made by former Kaduna Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, suggesting his involvement in the activist’s disappearance.

In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by former Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Muhammad Garba, the ex-governor described the allegation as “reckless, unfounded and a clear attempt to shift responsibility” for an incident that occurred entirely within Kaduna.

Garba stressed that Dadiyata lived and operated in Kaduna, where he was widely known for his criticism of the Kaduna State government. According to him, there is no credible evidence indicating that the activist’s primary focus was the Kano State government or Ganduje

“Everyone in Kaduna knew the nature of the criticism he made and who it was directed at,” the statement said, adding that responsibility for security in Kaduna at the time rested with the state government and federal security agencies operating in the state.

The former commissioner called for careful scrutiny of El-Rufai’s recent remarks, insisting that serious allegations of such magnitude must be backed by verifiable evidence rather than political rhetoric.

He warned that dragging Ganduje into the matter without proof risks politicising a painful and unresolved episode while further confusing the public.

Garba contrasted the political environments of Kano and Kaduna during the period in question, maintaining that Ganduje’s two-term administration in Kano was marked by tolerance for criticism, open media engagement and acceptance of opposition voices.

“Unlike many political leaders who maintained strained relationships with the media, we allowed scrutiny, accommodated critical voices and even learned from dissenting perspectives,” he stated, adding that there was no record of arrests, intimidation or harassment of journalists or critics in Kano during Ganduje’s tenure.

The statement also referenced comments previously made by former Senator Shehu Sani and commentator Reno Omokri regarding the handling of the case and the reluctance of some individuals in Kaduna to speak publicly about the matter.

Garba further questioned El-Rufai’s claim that a police officer allegedly confessed to being sent from Kano to abduct Dadiyata.

He asked why such serious information, if credible, was not formally disclosed to investigative authorities or pursued transparently through appropriate security channels at the time.

“It is difficult to reconcile a claim of having no prior knowledge of the individual with simultaneously making detailed assertions about who was responsible,” he said.

While expressing sympathy for Dadiyata’s family, Garba emphasized that the focus should remain on uncovering the truth through lawful and transparent investigative processes.

“The family deserves closure. What they do not deserve is for this tragic matter to become an instrument of political blame-shifting,” he said.

He concluded by urging anyone with credible information regarding the abduction to present it to the appropriate authorities, stressing that accountability must be grounded in facts and due process rather than speculation. (Saturday Tribune)

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