The Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf, has formally petitioned the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) over what he describes as threatening and inciting public statements made against him by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
In the petition addressed to the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS, Prof. Yusuf expressed concern over remarks made during a widely circulated public address by Senator Kwankwaso following Prof. Yusuf’s recent media commentary on political coalitions and regional political issues.
According to Prof. Yusuf, although Senator Kwankwaso did not directly mention his name, the description used during the public address clearly identified him in the minds of viewers and supporters familiar with the issues under discussion.
Prof. Yusuf further alleged that Senator Kwankwaso called on members of the Kwankwasiyya movement and associated political youth groups to “scatter” the individual being referenced using the Hausa expression “pata-pata,” which he believes could reasonably be interpreted by supporters as a call for intimidation and violence.
He stated that, given the tense political climate and the history of politically related violence in parts of the country, such statements should not be taken lightly.
“I consider these remarks dangerous, inflammatory, and capable of endangering my personal safety and that of my family,” Prof. Yusuf stated in the petition.
The petition urges security agencies to formally document the complaint, invite Senator Kwankwaso for questioning, and take preventive measures to avert any threat to Prof. Yusuf and his associates.
Prof. Yusuf emphasized that democratic societies must protect the right of citizens to freely express opinions and participate in national discourse without fear of intimidation, threats, or politically motivated attacks.
He also called on political leaders across party lines to exercise restraint in public speech and avoid rhetoric capable of inciting supporters or undermining public peace.
Copies of the petition were also forwarded to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Embassy of the United States of America in Abuja, and the European Union Delegation to Nigeria.
