There are mounting tension and confusion in the ancient city of Kano over who occupies the throne of Emir with the announced dethronement of Aminu Ado Bayero and the consequent enthronement of, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
On one hand, the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Saturday morning ordered the immediate arrest of the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, accusing him of creating tension within the state.
According to a press statement issued early Saturday morning by Mr. Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the spokesperson for the Governor, the former Emir was allegedly smuggled into Kano city last night in an attempt to reclaim the palace forcefully.
The statement, issued at 7:00 am in Kano, confirmed that the new Emir, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had arrived at the palace accompanied by the Governor, the Deputy Governor, the Speaker of the State Assembly, and other top government officials at approximately 1:00 am on Saturday.
“As the Chief security officer of the state, His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has directed the Commissioner of Police to arrest the deposed emir with immediate effect for disturbance of public peace and trying to destroy the relative peace the state enjoys,” read the statement from Mr. Tofa, who serves as the Director General of Media and Publicity at the Government House in Kano.
However, on the other hand, the Kano State Police Command said it will enforce the court order restraining the state government from dissolving five newly created Emirates in the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Hussain Gumel, who disclosed this while briefing journalists at the police headquarters in Bompai Kano vowed to maintain law and other, assuring that security agencies won’t spare anyone trying to temper with the peace across the state.
“Let me also remind you that the position of the law is very clear as whoever, under whatever guise is found to be planning to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the State or feel that he she can jeopardize the existing security settings in the State will be arrested and made to face full wrath of the law.
“Therefore, as the Police Command is leading other security agencies to sustain the peace and peaceful coexistence for overriding interests, miscreants should steer clear of violence in all its ramifications and should not take advantage or hijack the current situation to launch unprovoked attack on people, property and infrastructure of the State. Any person found with such tendency will be ruthlessly dealt with according to the law of the land”, the police boss stated.
Also on the same matter, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has reportedly ordered the reinstatement of HRH Aminu Ado Bayero as the Emir of Kano.
Speaking with Newsmen Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam, pointed out that the National Security Adviser’s directive to return Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir directly contradicts the actions taken by Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who recently signed a law reinstating Muhammadu Sanusi II and abolishing the five additional emirate councils.
However, the office of the National Security Adviser has denied any involvement in the matter, a statement which the Deputy Governor has described as chameleonic.
Reacting to the development, the council of Ulamas appealed to President Tinubu to allow Kano people to tackle this problem, which they believe could be resolve without external interference.
The council however urged all the parties to embrace peace and show restraints.
Meanwhile, heavy security presence has been reported at the Kano Emir’s Palace as the state government prepares to support Sanusi II’s return.
