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 inciting remarks made against him by former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
In a petition dated May 22, 2026, a copy of which was made available to LEADERSHIP, Yusuf accused Kwankwaso of making inflammatory remarks during a public address following his recent media comments on political coalitions and regional political issues.
According to the former NHIS boss, although Kwankwaso did not directly mention his name during the address, the description used clearly identified him to supporters and followers familiar with the issues under discussion.
Yusuf alleged that the former presidential candidate 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 Yusuf said could be interpreted as a call for intimidation or violence.
He warned that considering the prevailing political tension and history of politically related violence in some parts of the country, the remarks should not be taken lightly.
“I consider these remarks dangerous, inflammatory, and capable of endangering my personal safety and that of my family,” Yusuf stated in the petition.
The petition urged security agencies to formally document the complaint, invite Kwankwaso for questioning, and take preventive measures to avert any threat to Yusuf and his associates.
Yusuf also stressed the need to protect citizens’ rights to freely express opinions and participate in national discourse without fear of intimidation or politically motivated attacks.
He further called on political leaders across party lines to exercise restraint in their public utterances 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 United States Embassy in Abuja, and the European Union Delegation to Nigeria.
Efforts to obtain a response from Kwankwaso were unsuccessful as of press time.
