By Francis Ugwu<\/b><\/p>\n
Africa-Press – Nigeria. <\/strong><\/span>The reinstatement of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano on Thursday, and the consequent dethronement of Emir Ado Bayero, has come with dramatic twists, turns and intrigues, creating anxiety and a tense situation in the state.<\/p>\n The development, likened to the plot depicted in Game of Thrones, a Hollywood series, is laced with political maneuverings and undertones, setting the once peaceful state divided and on the fringe of implosion.<\/p>\n The two royal families: Bayero and the Sanusi families are now in a supremacy battle over the highly coveted Emirate stool in the ancient city of Kano.<\/p>\n Recall that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II beat Aminu Ado Bayero to succeed the latter\u2019s father, Emir Ado Bayero, in 2014.<\/p>\n But six years later, Sanusi was deposed for his predecessor\u2019s son, Aminu Ado Bayero, amid a fallout with the state government under former governor Abdullahi Ganduje.<\/p>\n However, four years later and with Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People\u2019s Party, NNPP, in the saddle as the governor, Sanusi headed back to the throne on Thursday.<\/p>\n The Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday passed the Kano Emirates Council Law (Repeal Bill) 2024, dethroning all the five first class Emirs of the state.<\/p>\n The House which passed the bill dissolved the five Emirates created by former governor Ganduje. Those were Bichi, Rano, Gaya, Karaye as well as the Kano Emirate.<\/p>\n According to the new law, all offices established under the amended law have been set aside thereby reviving the Single Emirate System in the state.<\/p>\n The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, claimed that the reinstatement of the deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, was a fulfilment of his campaign promise.<\/p>\n In a statement by the spokesperson for the governor, Sanusi Bature, he said, \u201cGovernor Yusuf further articulated that the return of Muhammad Sanusi II back on throne will propel peace and prosperity, adding that the repeal of the council law was in realisation of his campaign commitments to restore the lost glory of the state and its rich cultural heritage.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone should go about his or her normal activities in the state, we have done what we believe is in the best interest of the state and its people.\u201d<\/p>\n The governor further issued 48 hours to Aminu Ado Bayero and four other former first class chiefs to vacate their palaces and hand over all emirates property to the office of the deputy governor.<\/p>\n Controversial court order<\/b><\/p>\n However, a few hours to Sanusi\u2019s reinstatement, a new twist was introduced to the ensuing drama as a Federal High Court in Kano granted an ex-parte order stopping Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II pending the determination of a substantive suit filed against the reinstatement.<\/p>\n The order also halted the abolishment of four emirates: Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano.<\/p>\n The court, however, directed all parties involved to maintain status quo ante pending the determination of the suit filed by Sarkin Dawaki Babba and Aminu Babba-Dan\u2019Agundi on Thursday.<\/p>\n Security agencies vow to obey controversial court order<\/b><\/p>\n Following the controversial court order, the joint security agencies, under the leadership of the Kano Police Commissioner, Muhammad Usaini Gumel, said they would obey the court order issued by a Federal High Court stopping the state government from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.<\/p>\n The Police Commissioner, Muhammad Usaini Gumel, alongside other top security officers of the military, the DSS and others, warned that they would not allow anybody to break peace and unity of the State using what is happening in the Emirate Council.<\/p>\n \u201cOur joint security resolved to keep peace in Kano, and the development surrounding the Emirates Council; the Police Command respects the court order, alongside other security agencies and we have resolved to ensure that we keep peace in the state,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He added that they would not be compelled by anybody to carry out any assignment.<\/p>\n \u201cAs far as the situation of the Emirate is concerned, we recognize the Emir who was there as stated by the Court, and we are only respecting Court orders which says status quo should be maintained and that is where we stay and stand,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n The Police Commissioner further stated that, \u201cthe position of law is very clear that whoever tries to cause problems will be arrested without hesitation.<\/p>\n \u201cMiscreants are advised to stay away from causing havoc in the State, as the safety of the people remain sacrosanct.\u201d<\/p>\n Bayero returns to Kano<\/b><\/p>\n Amid the tense atmosphere in the State, Bayero was said to have been brought back to Kano and was at the Nasarawa Emir\u2019s Rest House adjacent to the Ministry of Works.<\/p>\n It was gathered that he returned to the town in the early hours of Saturday.<\/p>\n The aircraft which conveyed the deposed Emir touched down at the Aminu Kano International Airport at about 4:30 am.<\/p>\n Yusuf orders Bayero\u2019s arrest<\/b><\/p>\n However, as tension enveloped Kano over alleged forceful return of deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, Governor Yusuf, on Saturday ordered his immediate arrest.<\/p>\n The Governor, his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam and other top government functionaries also took over the Emir\u2019s Palace in an effort to prevent the deposed Emir\u2019s forceful return.<\/p>\n Governor\u2019s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, in a statement said that in the governor\u2019s position as the State Chief Security Officer, he has ordered the arrest of the deposed Emir for violating the laws and his directives.<\/p>\n Ganduje using Ribadu to sustain deposed Kano Emir \u2013 Dep. Gov<\/b><\/p>\n Amid the confusion, the Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, accused the immediate past governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje, of trying to impose the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero on the state.<\/p>\n Gwarzo made the allegation on Saturday while speaking to journalists at the Emir\u2019s palace.<\/p>\n He said Ganduje was using the office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to achieve his objective.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cIt is unfortunate that the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, is using the National Security Adviser to create tension in the state by smuggling into the state, the former emir, Aminu Ado Bayero.<\/p>\n \u201cThe appointment and dethronement of Emir or any traditional title holder is solely the prerogative of the state government.<\/p>\n \u201cI am here together with the governor and other top government functionaries to ensure that the new emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II starts exercising his power and authority immediately after he was given his appointment letter yesterday\u201d.<\/p>\n Ribadu denies claim<\/b><\/p>\n However, in a swift reaction, the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Saturday, denied claims of providing air transport for the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero to return to the state.<\/p>\n Speaking through the spokesman of NSA office, Mallam Zakari Mijinyawa, Ribadu maintained that he did not provide the aircraft that returned the sacked Emir to Kano.<\/p>\n Addressing newsmen in Abuja, he said: \u201cI read the comments on social media, it is untrue.<\/p>\n \u201cThe NSA did not provide air transport to anyone to Kano.<\/p>\n \u201cPolitical actors should desist from misinforming the public as law enforcement officials in the state strive to maintain peace and order.\u201d<\/p>\n Bayero reacts<\/b><\/p>\n Deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, in his speech on Saturday, said justice will prevail over the issue surrounding the emirates in the state.<\/p>\n Bayero urged relevant authorities to ensure justice because nobody is above the law, urging residents to maintain law and order<\/p>\n He spoke on Saturday at the mini-palace where he has since returned to after his dethronement.<\/p>\n According to Ado-Bayero: \u201cI call on the people to remain law-abiding while awaiting the outcome of the legal process in this tussle.<\/p>\n \u201cWe call on the authorities to do justice in this matter. Kano is a very influential state in Nigeria. Whatever affects Kano affects Nigeria. May peace reign in Kano. We pray for Allah to bless Kano with responsible and just leaders.<\/p>\n I didn\u2019t give any directive \u2013 Kwankwaso<\/b><\/p>\n A former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, insisted that he played no part in the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano.<\/p>\n Kwankwaso spoke with BBC Hausa, Kwankwaso, explaining that he never influenced the decision of the governor to reinstate Emir Sanusi.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I go there, I will hear what happened and I am sure they will tell me whatever happened, and whatever they tell me, we just pray for them. I heard the Assembly members have repealed the law.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we were telling them was they should go and investigate whether what happened was done out of goodwill or not. What happened appears to be a vendetta or cheating. It\u2019s just a matter of did Ganduje do right or wrong. It\u2019s not about going against him.<\/p>\n \u201cI will go to Kano very soon and I will speak with some of the assembly members, especially the speaker, and the Governor on what is happening.\u201d<\/p>\n Allah is the best of planners \u2013 El Rufai<\/b><\/p>\n However, immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, reacted to the reinstatement of his bosom friend, Muhammadu Sanusi II, as Emir of Kano by the Kano State government.<\/p>\n El-Rufai took to his Facebook page on Friday night, posting a cryptic message, evidently referring to the development in Kano Emirate.<\/p>\n In a post tagged \u2018Friday Reminder\u2019, with a quote from the Holy Qur\u2019an, El-Rufai wrote: \u201cBut they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.\u201d \u2013 Holy Quran \u2013 Surah Al-Anfal (8:30).\u201d<\/p>\n Don\u2019t plunge Kano into chaos \u2013 Council of Ullamas<\/b><\/p>\n On its part, the Council of Ulamas in Kano has cautioned President Ahmad Bola Tinubu against using federal power to cause serious crises that could cripple Kano through his government\u2019s alleged interference in the ongoing Emirate Council impasse.<\/p>\n The Council of Ulamas said it was worried that recent events in the Emirate, if not carefully handled, could escalate and degenerate into chaos.<\/p>\n In a statement signed by 18 members of the Ulama, the clergies expressed their concerns regarding the ongoing dispute over the emirship.<\/p>\n Ulama emphasised that it was important for Tinubu to take all necessary measures to uphold peace in the state.<\/p>\n \u201cThe State Governor also has a responsibility as the Chief Executive of the state. As the act in question has already been completed, there is no need for violent enforcement of any order or violent resistance to it. We vehemently oppose any measures that will escalate conflict in the state.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. President, as the leader of the nation, should not allow the contest for a royal stool to degenerate into violence. We are calling on Mr. President to allow the people of Kano State to resolve these issues amicably without the use of force and without loss of lives.<\/p>\n \u201cKano State is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria; therefore, we, the undersigned, call on both contending parties to use civil means in resolving their differences to allow peace to reign in the state.<\/p>\n \u201cAs major stakeholders in the state, we want to assure Mr. President that we shall reach out to contenders to resolve the matter peacefully,\u201d they stated.<\/p>\n FG will be held responsible for violence in Kano \u2013 Atiku<\/b><\/p>\n Reacting to the development, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said that the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government would be held responsible if violence breaks out in the state over the emirate crisis.<\/p>\n Atiku said Tinubu\u2019s government was inviting anarchy to Kano State by providing security for the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero.<\/p>\n In a statement via his X handle, Atiku cautioned the federal government against destabilising the State.<\/p>\n \u201cThe action of the Federal Government in deploying soldiers in Kano in the tussle over the throne of the ancient city is an upset to the peace and security of the state, and also in breach of the 1999 Constitution as Amended.<\/p>\n \u201cThe foregoing circumstances happened within the confines of the law and in compliance with the powers conferred on the governor as provided by Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended; and also in consultation with the kingmakers of Kano, reappointed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (also known as Muhammadu Sanusi II) as the 16th Emir of Kano State and accordingly handed him a letter of appointment.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is surprising that in the early hours of today, exactly at about 5:30 am the former Emir of Kano, His Majesty Aminu Ado Bayero, backed by Federal might made their way into the Nasarawa Palace of the Kano Emirate while the reappointed Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II was at the Gidan Dabo, which is the main residence of the Emir of Kano.<\/p>\n \u201cIn this wise, the former Emir could not have made his way into the Nasarawa Palace without the support of the Federal Government having done so with the support of the army and other security personnel in his company. The deployment of soldiers in extra constitutional matters such as this undermines the integrity of the Nigerian military.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to remind the Tinubu administration that Kano State is known for peace and harmony spanning thousands of years and any attempt to destabilize the peace of the Land of Commerce shall be resisted. Recall that Muhammadu Sanusi II was dethroned on 9th March, 2020: dethroned, Kano forged on in peace without any fracas.<\/p>\n \u201cWe wish to state unequivocally that if for any reason, law and order breaks down in Kano State, particularly Kano Municipal, the Federal Government should be held responsible as the act of providing security cover to the former Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero to come back to Kano is an invitation to anarchy.\u201d<\/p>\n Halt reign of madness unfolding in Kano \u2013 Inibehe Effiong<\/b><\/p>\n Meanwhile, a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong has cautioned the federal government against interfering in the Kano Emirship struggle.<\/p>\n Effiong specifically said that the central government has no authority to determine Emirship dispute, to appoint or enthrone anyone as Emir.<\/p>\n In a post on his X handle on Saturday, the legal expert said that President Bola Tinubu should urgently halt the reign of madness unfolding in Kano.<\/p>\n His statement comes after a team of joint security agencies, under the leadership of the Kano Police Commissioner, Muhammad Usaini Gumel, said they would obey the court order stopping the Kano State government from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.<\/p>\n Gumel, alongside other top security officers of the military, the DSS and others, had warned they would not allow anybody to break peace and unity of the State using what is happening in the Emirate Council.<\/p>\n Yerima Shettima, spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, described the situation as a sad development.<\/p>\n Shettima, who called for calmness, said he maintained his association\u2019s earlier position that parties involved in the tussle must respect the law, since there\u2019s a court injunction.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cWell the situation is a sad development. For us, we felt strongly that in a situation like this we expect that there must be calm first.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd at the same time, we maintain our earlier position as earlier stated by our platform that they must respect the law, since there\u2019s a court injunction.<\/p>\n \u201cWe expect that everyone should remain calm, let\u2019s see what happens on the 3rd of June in the court; let\u2019s wait for the ruling from the court.<\/p>\n \u201cThen we expect that everybody, whichever way it goes, we expect them to comply. Because what\u2019s paramount to us is to ensure that that peace they have enjoyed over time in Kano should be sustained.<\/p>\n \u201cAny other thing that will bring about breaking of law or any chaos is totally condemnable. And we don\u2019t expect anything more than that at the moment now.\u201d<\/p>\n For More News And Analysis About Nigeria<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Francis Ugwu Africa-Press – Nigeria. The reinstatement of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano on Thursday, and the consequent dethronement of Emir Ado Bayero, has come with dramatic twists, turns and intrigues, creating anxiety and a tense situation in the state. The development, likened to the plot depicted in Game of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":119833,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,1437,28,2660],"tags":[1570,2140,13648,372,254],"class_list":["post-119834","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-files","category-homepage-english","category-to-homepage","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-nigeria-2","tag-game-of-thrones","tag-kano","tag-nigeria"],"yoast_head":"\n