Miqati Pledges N500,000 as Kaduna Political Tensions Trigger Calls for Peace
The ADC governorship candidate says political differences must not be allowed to turn Kaduna’s 2027 campaign into a cycle of violence, as he urges APC and opposition supporters to embrace restraint.
By Abdullahi Yusuf
African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Shuaibu Idris Miqati, has appealed to supporters of the APC and ADC to reject violence and embrace peaceful political participation ahead of the 2027 elections, while pledging N500,000 to assist people he said were injured or suffered property damage in recent incidents.
Miqati described the reported confrontations involving political supporters in Kaduna as “unwarranted, uncalled for and unfortunate”, warning that escalating tensions could undermine peaceful political activity in the state.
In a statement, he said ADC supporters who had planned a solidarity walk in support of a governorship aspirant were allegedly met with force, leaving some participants injured and causing what he described as a near breakdown of law and order.
The September 9 incident had earlier produced competing accounts. ADC supporters alleged that security personnel disrupted their solidarity walk, while the Kaduna State Police Command said its intervention followed the alleged obstruction of a major road and disruption of public order.
Miqati also referred to a separate incident involving supporters who had gathered to welcome Rt. Hon. Isa Ashiru Kudan after his return from the Lesser Hajj.
He said some of the supporters were allegedly attacked and that vehicles belonging to participants had their windscreens and side-door glasses smashed. Reports of the incident emerged days after the earlier clash, with ADC members alleging that supporters had been attacked while gathering to welcome Ashiru.
Miqati said political actors should prevent such incidents from escalating, particularly as parties intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
He warned that violence could provide an opening for unemployed and aggrieved youths to exploit political tensions and cause further disruption in communities.
“Many unemployed and angry youths could seize any opportunity to wreck havoc in our communities in the name of politics,” he said.
The ADC candidate urged the Kaduna State Government, particularly Governor Uba Sani, to call on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political stakeholders to desist from actions capable of escalating political tension.
He also called on political groups to notify law enforcement agencies ahead of rallies, solidarity walks, receptions and other political activities so that appropriate security arrangements could be made.
Miqati said maintaining peace should not be left entirely to security agencies, especially when they are already contending with wider security challenges.
He expressed sympathy with those he said were injured or had their vehicles damaged during the incidents and announced a personal contribution of N500,000 to commence an appeal fund for hospital bills and vehicle repairs.
“I personally sympathise with those who have been injured and/or have their vehicles destroyed in any form,” he said.
Miqati urged supporters of all political parties to remain calm and pursue their political ambitions peacefully, saying political actors could differ over policies and methods while sharing the broader objective of advancing Kaduna State.
He called on political leaders to prioritise dialogue, peaceful participation and respect for citizens’ rights throughout the electoral process.
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