Kano Emirate Crisis: Islamic Groups Harp On Rule Of Law

Concerned Islamic groups have called for neutrality and the rule of law to end the leadership tussle in the Kano emirate.

In a statement issued by the groups and jointly signed by Mallam Sani Malami and Sheikh Alhassan Abdulmalik, they said that as concerned citizens of Nigeria, they are compelled to address the escalating crisis surrounding the Kano Emirate.

The groups, which include Munazzamatu Fityanil Islam, Majlis Al-Shura, Majma’u Ahbab Sheikh Ibrahim Niass, Sheikh Salihu Malami Foundation, Ahbab Sheikh Ahmad Abulfathi, Samarin Tijjaniyya Ansarudeen Attijjaniyya, Alfatihiyya Association, and Tijjaniyya Grassroots Mobilisation and Empowerment Initiatives of Nigeria (TIGMEIN) demand the immediate withdrawal of security agencies from the Emir’s Palace in Nasarawa to prevent further escalation.

They averred that recent developments have exposed the politicisation of the issue, with unpatriotic politicians exploiting the situation to settle their political scores.

“Moreover, the federal government’s security apparatus, including the police and other agencies, appear to have deviated from their role of neutrality and protecting lives and property.
Instead, they have become tools in the hands of politicians, seeking to undermine the will of the Government and people of Kano State and abandoning the principle of federalism by involving the Federal Government in a matter that is purely within the state’s remit,” they said.

The groups further argued that the judiciary, which is expected to uphold the constitution and the rule of Law, has been brought into the murky waters of politics by the Federal High Court, which, despite settled law, continues to interlope in matters where it has no jurisdiction.

“The whole world knows that less than five years ago, the government of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje balkanised the Kano emirate and created five emirates unknown to the history and custom of Kano, using the instrument of the legislative process.

“Subsequently, the same government removed the then Emir Muhammad Sanusi II on frivolous charges of “insubordination”. At that time, the President, Muhammadu Buhari, publicly declared that the matter was purely a state matter and that the federal government could not intervene constitutionally. The federal government provided full support of security agencies to enforce the unpopular decisions of the Ganduje’s administration”.

The groups noted that in May this year, the government of Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf honoured an election pledge to restore the Kano emirate to its previous glory and the status quo and that reliable information suggests that former governor Ganduje is using his position as national chairman of the ruling party to deploy federal might in pursuit of his sinister personal vendetta, thus placing the security of life and property of Kano people at great risk.

“We urge the federal government to stop interfering in a local chieftaincy matter that is the exclusive preserve of the state and to respect the rule of law. Governor Ganduje is now the national chairman of the APC and cannot be allowed to use that position to drag the federal government into his local political struggles. The Kano Emirate is a revered institution that transcends political affiliations and interests. Its sanctity and integrity must be preserved.