The presence of Muhammadu Sanusi II and Aminu Ado Bayero, with both laying claim to the throne of the Kano Emiirate, in the ancient city is leading to a standoff that is political in nature and at the same time, constitutional.
The political impasse has dragged the police, army and even Department of State Security into a virtual power tussle with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu denying he aided the return of Ado Bayero to Kano.
Constitutionally, the Kano branch of the Nigerian Bar Association are raising questions about the need for the separation of power, while other stakeholders are concerned about the breach of judicial rules and how a judge could deliver an order from far away United States of America as alleged by Governor Yusuf.
The impasse follows the recent reinstatement of the Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano on Friday, and the subsequent takeover of the Emir’s palace, the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero who who was earlier out of Kano, has returned to Kano to take continue as the Emir.
The dethroned Emir Aminu Ado arrived Kano early Saturday morning amidst jubilation by supporters at the Aminu Kano International Airport.
He was escorted to one of the palaces located at Nasarawa in Kano metropolis, which was subsequently taken over by armed soldiers.
Kano Ulamas Beg Tinubu To Allow Peaceful Resolution Of Kano Emirate Dispute
Meanwhile the Kano state governor, Abba Yusuf, his deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, commissioners and other political appointees were at press time still holed-up at the main Kano palace with the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
According to the tradition of Kano, a new gate is carved out for the Emir to enter the palace and that has been performed by the newly elected 16th Emir.
Muhammadu Sanusi II was escorted amidst jubilation by supporters, riding on a white horse, to the seat of power called “Runfar Kasa”, deep inside the palace. By this he has fulfilled one of the traditional conditions on a new Emir.
The political twist and turns started in an early morning press conference when the deputy governor, Abdussalam accused the former governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje as well as the Nigerian Security Adviser (NSA), Ribadu of being behind the return of the dethroned Emir to the city.
“We know Ganduje is using the office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to provide the deposed Emir with military personnel in order to intimidate and subjugate the people of Kano into accepting what they are not in favour of and we refuse to tolerate it,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the heads of security apparatuses in the state are at the mini palace protecting the dethroned Emir who was said to have occupied a government property for which the governor had earlier ordered his arrest.
The Kano Commissioner of Police CP Ibrahim Gumel, in a press briefing told newsmen that they were abiding by the court order that suspended the reinstatement of the 16th Emir.
“The Police Command is expressly obeying the Court Order with SUIT No. FHC/KN/CS/182/2024 Dated 23rd May, 2024 issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Kano alongside ail Law Enforcement agents in the State.
“Therefore, we are calling on members of the public to know that the Police in the State is working together with the military and other security agencies and are with full capacity for providing the adequate security to everyone as we are committed to carrying out our statutory duties as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” the Commissioner of police stated.
Military personnel have taken up positions around the Nasarawa Palace, where the deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero has been residing. Meanwhile, the reinstated Emir Sanusi II, along with Governor Yusuf and his retinue, remain at the Kano Emir Palace in a show of solidarity.
This is just as Ulamas in the state have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allow the people of Kano to resolve the ongoing Emirate crisis without the use of force. The appeal comes amid the heavy security presence around the two palaces since early Saturday morning.
The Islamic scholars voiced grave concerns over the recent disturbances within the emirate and urged the Federal Government to intervene urgently to maintain peace. In a statement signed by the council led by Shaikh Abdullahi Uwais Limanci, the Ulamas warned that the situation could deteriorate into chaos if not carefully managed.
“Kano State is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria despite its political complexity. It is imperative for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take all necessary steps to maintain peace in the state,” the statement read.
The scholars emphasised the importance of allowing the people of Kano to resolve their issues amicably, without resorting to force, which could lead to loss of lives and property. They highlighted the critical need for dialogue and mutual respect in addressing the current tensions.
“We are calling on Mr. President to allow the people of Kano State to resolve these issues amicably without the use of any force which can lead to loss of lives and properties,” they stated.
The Council also appealed to the disputing parties to adopt peaceful and civil means to settle their differences, emphasizing that violent measures would only worsen the situation. They pledged to mediate and reach out to all involved parties to facilitate a peaceful resolution.
“As major stakeholders in the state, we want to assure Mr. President that we shall reach out to contenders. Therefore, there is no need for violent enforcement of any order or violent resistance to it,” the statement continued.
Weighing into the unfolding events, the Kano branch of the NBA in a statement signed by its chairman, Sagir Suleiman Gezawa, said it was following with keen interest the development regarding the Repeal of Kano Emirate Council Law 2019.
The NBA acknowledged that It is within the constitutional duty of a State Assembly to legislate passed, it remains the prerogative of a Governor to assent to such Law; and that once assented to by the Governor, it has become law with its implementation is to be done by state apparatus.
The NBA further said it is within the purview of courts to interpret such law to ensure it is in tandem with other existing laws or the Constitution.
In that regard, it urged all its members to act responsibly in approaching courts with competent jurisdiction, reminding that a court order, once given is sacrosanct and must be obeyed.
It however frowned at a situation where the Nigerian Army to deploy troops to enforce court order. “This is a sad reminder of the military dictatorship and must be condemned,” Gezawa said.
He added that “anyone found wanting or in disobedience of a court order (which is declaratory in nature) must first be proved to have been notified of the existence of the said court order by issuance of Form 48 and subsequently Form 49 notifying such person of the consequences of his or her actions.
“This is in line with the Sheriff and Civil Processes Act and Laws of the various States for enforcing court judgments.
“As an association therefore, we call on all state actors, to be mindful of their oaths of office and for the security agencies, their scope of duties so as not to make mockery of our judicial system.
They should as well be mindful of the fact that their actions may breach the security and peace of Kano State and they shall be held accountable in this life or the next.”
Atiku Urges Peace, Slams FG’s Over Constitution Breach
Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has urged peace in Kano State over the anxiety arising from the return of the former Emir of Kano, His Majesty Aminu Ado Bayero to the state early yesterday.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku said the 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.
He added that in performing their constitutional duties of law making, the Kano State House of Assembly (KSHA) passed the amended Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 in consonance with the provision of Section 4 of the Constitution 1999 as Amended whereas the Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf subsequently signed into law the said bill.
He said the law repealed the 2019 version which balkanized the ancient Kano Emirate into five.
The Waziri Adamawa added, “The 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.”
Atiku said it is surprising that in the early hours of Saturday, 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.
“In 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.
“We need to remind the Tinubu administration that Kano State is known for peace and harmony spanning thousands of years and any attempt to destablise 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.
“We 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.”
He added that the Federal Government does not have the jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of any State in Nigeria in the spirit of true federalism as enshrined in Section 2(1) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the dichotomy provided by the Exclusive and Residual List therein respectively.
