By Ayodele Oni
Former Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, has threatened legal action against the state’s newly appointed Commissioner for Information, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, over some alleged defamatory remarks about him.
To avoid the impending legal war, the new commissioner has up to 48 hours to withdraw the alleged defamatory remarks and issue a public apology.
Mustapha, son of former Kano State Governor and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, made the demand in a statement issued, following comments attributed to Bature during a television programme, Gabon Talk Show.
A video teaser from the programme began circulating on social media last night, showing Bature making allegations about Mustapha’s alleged drug-related problems and claiming that his father had taken him to several rehabilitation centres to reform his behaviour.
He also claimed the former governor, established the Kiru reformatory institute due to Mustapha’s drug issues.
Bature also suggested that Senator Kwankwaso might regret Mustapha’s emergence as the deputy governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Reacting, 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.”
He particularly rejected claims that the Kiru Reformatory Institute was established because of his alleged personal challenges, describing the assertion as “historically impossible.”
According to him, the institute was established during his father’s second tenure as governor while he was living in Dubai.
He said Kiru was established as “a visionary state policy to reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate young people and give them a second chance in life”, adding that linking the institution to his personal circumstances was an insult to its purpose and beneficiaries.
Mustapha also dismissed claims that his father did not trust him with responsibilities involving Skyline University, Mewar University and his farm.
Describing such claims as false, he said, “My father has mentored me, trained me, and raised me to be independent. He did not raise me to depend on him for handouts.”
He added that he has established several businesses independently, including a rice mill which he said provides employment and contributes to Kano’s economy.
On his previous appointment as commissioner, Mustapha rejected Sanusi’s reported description of the position as “executive rehabilitation,” insisting that he was appointed to serve rather than undergo rehabilitation.
“I was not appointed to be rehabilitated. I was appointed to serve. And I served diligently.”
Mustapha also questioned the purpose of Sanusi’s appointment, asking whether he was expected to communicate government policies and achievements or attack political opponents.
“Were you appointed as Commissioner of Information to inform the people of Kano State about government policies, programmes and achievements — or were you appointed to be an attack dog?” he asked.
He further challenged Sanusi to clarify whether the allegations were his personal invention or whether he was acting on behalf of his principal.
“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.
On his 48-hour ultimatum, Mustapha demanded that the commissioner withdraw the alleged false statements in full and tender an unreserved public apology to him, his family and the people of Kano.
He warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would result in legal action.
“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.
He added that he would pursue all available legal remedies to protect his reputation, insisting that he would not be drawn into personal insults but would remain focused on his ambition to contribute to Kano State.
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