February 16, (THEWILL) – The Kano State Government has strongly condemned the All Progressives Congress over its plan to establish a “Shadow Government” in the state, describing it as illegal, unconstitutional, and a desperate attempt to remain politically relevant.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Waiya, said the move, as announced by Usman Alhaji, National Chairman of the APC Patriotic Volunteers,was a clear attempt to incite unrest.
Waiya stressed that the Nigerian democratic system does not recognize parallel governments outside the constitutional framework.
“Let me remind these elements within the Kano APC that, in a democratic system like ours, forming a government within a government is entirely illegal and unconstitutional,” the statement read.
He explained that a shadow government, as practiced in the United Kingdom, is an opposition framework within a parliamentary system, where political parties appoint ‘shadow ministers’ to scrutinize the ruling government.
“However, Nigeria operates a presidential system, which neither recognizes nor supports such a structure outside the institutional framework of the law,” he added.
The commissioner warned that the state government would not tolerate any actions aimed at destabilizing Kano.
“Contemplating the formation of a shadow government is further proof of the APC’s continued plot to create chaos in Kano,” he said.
“Such actions will not be tolerated, and the government stands ready to take decisive action against any individuals or groups involved in acts capable of disturbing the relative peace in the state,” Waiya added.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
