Kwankwaso Threatens Legal Action Against Kano Commissioner

Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, son of former Kano State Governor and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has threatened to take legal action against the state’s Commissioner for Information, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, over comments allegedly made about him during a television programme.

Mustapha has given the commissioner 48 hours to withdraw the alleged defamatory statements and issue a public apology or face a lawsuit.

The former Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports made his position known in a statement released on Tuesday morning.

His reaction followed the circulation of a video teaser from an edition of Gabon Talk Show, in which Bature allegedly made several claims about his personal life and relationship with his father.

The video, which began circulating on social media on Monday night, generated attention because of the allegations concerning Mustapha’s alleged involvement with drugs and his father’s reported efforts to address the issue.

During the programme, Bature reportedly claimed that Senator Kwankwaso had taken his son to different rehabilitation centres in an attempt to reform his behaviour.

He also alleged that the former governor established the Kiru Reformatory Institute because of his son’s alleged drug-related challenges.

The commissioner further suggested that Senator Kwankwaso might regret his son’s emergence as the deputy governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The comments prompted a strong response from Mustapha, who accused the commissioner of attempting to damage his reputation through allegations he described as untrue.

He rejected the claims, insisting that they were politically motivated and intended to divert attention from important issues affecting Kano State.

Mustapha described the allegations as “false, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to assassinate my character and distract the people of Kano from real issues of governance.”

One of the major issues he addressed was the commissioner’s claim linking the establishment of the Kiru Reformatory Institute to his alleged personal struggles.

Mustapha dismissed the suggestion, arguing that the timeline surrounding the establishment of the institution contradicted the allegation.

According to him, the facility was established during his father’s second tenure as governor of Kano State, at a time when he was living in Dubai.

He maintained that the institution was created to address wider social challenges affecting young people and provide opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Explaining its original purpose, Mustapha described Kiru as “a visionary state policy to reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate young people and give them a second chance in life”.

He said attempts to associate the institution with his personal circumstances were not only inaccurate but also disrespectful to the objectives behind its establishment and the people who had benefited from its programmes.

The former commissioner also responded to claims concerning his father’s confidence in his ability to manage businesses and responsibilities.

Bature had reportedly suggested that Senator Kwankwaso did not trust his son with responsibilities involving Skyline University, Mewar University and his agricultural business.

However, Mustapha rejected the suggestion, insisting that his achievements were not dependent on financial support or privileges from his father.

He said his upbringing prepared him to become independent and take responsibility for his personal and professional decisions.

“My father has mentored me, trained me, and raised me to be independent. He did not raise me to depend on him for handouts.”

Mustapha further disclosed that he had established several businesses independently.

He specifically mentioned a rice mill, which he said provides employment opportunities and contributes to economic activities in Kano State.

He maintained that his business interests and previous public service record should not be subjected to what he considered unsubstantiated allegations.

The controversy also extended to his previous appointment as Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports.

Mustapha took exception to the commissioner’s reported description of the appointment as “executive rehabilitation”.

He insisted that his appointment was based on his capacity to serve the state and not an arrangement intended to address any alleged personal problems.

Responding to the description, he said, “I was not appointed to be rehabilitated. I was appointed to serve. And I served diligently,”

His statement also questioned the responsibilities of the newly appointed Commissioner for Information, particularly concerning the nature of his public comments about political figures.

Mustapha argued that the office of the Information Commissioner should primarily focus on communicating government policies, programmes and achievements to residents rather than engaging in personal attacks against political opponents.

He challenged Bature to explain whether his recent comments were consistent with the responsibilities attached to his position.

“Were you appointed as Commissioner of Information to inform the people of Kano State about government policies, programs and achievements — or were you appointed to be an attack dog?” he asked.

The former commissioner also raised questions about whether the allegations represented Bature’s personal position or whether they were made on behalf of the political leadership of the state.

He said the people of Kano deserved clarification on the matter, particularly given the public nature of the allegations and the political office held by the commissioner.

“Are these reckless lies your personal invention, or are you doing it on behalf of your principal? The people of Kano deserve to know,” he said.

Mustapha’s statement eventually focused on the legal steps he intends to take if the commissioner fails to meet the demands contained in his 48-hour ultimatum.

He wants Bature to completely withdraw the alleged defamatory remarks and issue an unreserved public apology.

The apology, according to him, must be addressed not only to him but also to his family and the people of Kano State.

He warned that he would instruct his lawyers to commence appropriate legal proceedings if the commissioner failed to comply within the stipulated period.

“Failure to do so, he should expect to hear from my lawyers. I will not allow my name, my family’s name, and my record of service to be dragged through the mud for cheap politics,” he said.

Mustapha further maintained that he was prepared to pursue all available legal options to protect his reputation and challenge statements he considered damaging to his character.

He also insisted that the controversy would not distract him from his political ambition or his desire to contribute to the development of Kano State.

As of the time of filing this report, Mustapha had issued his 48-hour demand, warning that he would seek legal redress if the commissioner failed to withdraw the allegations and apologise.

The commissioner’s response to the ultimatum was not contained in Mustapha’s statement.