Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, AbdulKarim Maude (SAN), has faulted the police command for pulling out of the Independence Day parade, saying the move created a security risk and unnecessary tension in the state.
He accused the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, of undermining Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s constitutional role as the state’s Chief Security Officer.
Governor Yusuf had already declared that he had lost confidence in CP Bakori and demanded his removal after police officers and men refused to participate in the October 1 parade at Sani Abacha Stadium.
Reacting to the controversy, Maude said the Commissioner of Police disregarded the governor’s authority and left him exposed to security threats.
He stressed that police commissioners are expected to obey lawful directives from governors on matters of public order and safety, except where the president gives a contrary order.
The AG argued that Bakori failed in his responsibility to both the governor and the Inspector-General of Police during the parade. He referred to sections 214 and 215 of the Nigerian Constitution: while the police remain a single, centralized force under the IGP, governors also have powers to issue lawful directives to CPs in their states.
Maude noted that CPs often face “dual accountability” to both the IGP and governors, which sometimes causes conflict.
In this case, he said, Bakori’s absence from the national day parade amounted to sabotage and misconduct.
“This incident shows the unresolved constitutional issue about where a CP’s loyalty lies and how it affects governance, security, and federal balance in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, by refusing the governor’s order without referring the matter to the president as the constitution allows, CP Bakori upset the balance between federal and state powers. Maude added that this justified Governor Yusuf’s protest and call for the commissioner’s removal.
You rubbished Governor’s power by withdrawing from independence parade – Kano AG tells police commissioner