The recent arrest and harassment of our colleague, the Editor of Kano Times, Mr. Buhari Abba, on the orders of the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, is a direct assault on press freedom and a blatant abuse of state power. We strongly condemn this act of intimidation and call on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to rein in his commissioner before this dangerous trend irreparably damages his administration’s reputation.
Journalists play a crucial role in a democracy, holding those in power accountable and ensuring transparency in governance. The press is not an adversary of the state but a pillar of democracy that serves the public interest. Unfortunately, in Kano State, we are witnessing an alarming pattern where government officials weaponize state institutions to silence critical voices.
The unjust arrest of our editor came after the publication of an article titled “Dear Governor Yusuf, Beware of Kano Information Commissioner Ibrahim Waiya”, which raised legitimate concerns about the Commissioner’s conduct. Instead of responding with facts or engaging in a constructive dialogue, Waiya resorted to strong-arm tactics, using the police to intimidate and detain a journalist. This is not merely an attack on one individual—it is an assault on the fundamental principles of press freedom and democratic accountability.
Governor Yusuf must recognize that such actions harm his administration more than they protect it. Silencing journalists through harassment and arrests paints his government as intolerant of criticism and hostile to free speech. This contradicts the very principles that brought him to power and the expectations of the people of Kano, who deserve an open and transparent government.
The international community, civil society organizations, and press freedom advocates are watching closely. If Governor Yusuf truly values democracy, he must act without delay:
1. Call Commissioner Waiya to order – No government official should use state power to settle personal scores.
2. Ensure press freedom is respected – Journalists must be able to work without fear of harassment or arrest.
3. Drop all charges against our detained editor – The criminalization of journalism must not be tolerated.
4. Reaffirm his commitment to free speech – A public statement condemning attacks on the media will restore confidence in his leadership.
Governor Yusuf’s silence on this matter will be interpreted as complicity. A government that cannot tolerate scrutiny is a government that has something to hide. We urge the governor to take decisive action now—before this crisis escalates.
To borrow from Nelson Mandela, history will judge leaders not by the power they wield but by how they protect the rights of their people. Governor Yusuf must decide whether he stands for democracy or dictatorship.
