Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf, has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged threats and inciting remarks he claimed were made against him by former Kano State Governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
In a petition addressed to the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS, Prof. Yusuf expressed concern over comments allegedly made by Senator Kwankwaso during a public address that has since circulated widely on social media.
According to Prof. Yusuf, although his name was not directly mentioned in the speech, the description used by the former governor clearly identified him in the minds of viewers and supporters familiar with the political issues being discussed.
He alleged that Senator Kwankwaso called on members of the Kwankwasiyya movement and associated youth groups to “scatter” the individual being referred to, using the Hausa expression “pata-pata,” which he said could be interpreted by supporters as a call for intimidation or violence.
Prof. Yusuf warned that given the prevailing political tension and previous cases of politically related violence in parts of the country, such remarks should not be ignored.
“I consider these remarks dangerous, inflammatory, and capable of endangering my personal safety and that of my family,” he stated in the petition.
The former NHIS boss urged security agencies to officially document the complaint, invite Senator Kwankwaso for questioning, and take preventive steps to avert any possible threat to him and his associates.
He stressed that democracy thrives when citizens are able to freely express opinions and participate in national discourse without fear of intimidation, threats, or politically motivated attacks.
Prof. Yusuf also called on political leaders across party lines to exercise caution in their public utterances and avoid comments capable of inciting supporters or threatening public peace.
Copies of the petition were reportedly forwarded to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the United States Embassy in Abuja, and the European Union Delegation to Nigeria.