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Tension and Rivalry as Sanusi and Bayero Each Claim a Palace in Kano |
Plans were in place for Sanusi to take residence in the Gidan Rumfa Palace on Saturday. However, with the early arrival of Bayero, the state government expedited the process, and Sanusi was swiftly escorted to the palace before dawn. This move, as revealed by insiders from the royal family, prompted Bayero to settle in the Nassarawa mini palace upon his entry into the city.
In the past two days, Kano and Abuja have been the stages for unfolding drama and power struggles over the esteemed position of Emir of Kano, contested by Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II and Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.
The atmosphere in Kano State has been charged since Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ratified the Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment Number 2) Bill 2024 last Thursday, reinstating Sanusi to the throne.
Plans were in place for Sanusi to take residence in the Gidan Rumfa Palace on Saturday. However, with the early arrival of Bayero, the state government expedited the process, and Sanusi was swiftly escorted to the palace before dawn. This move, as revealed by insiders from the royal family, prompted Bayero to settle in the Nassarawa mini palace upon his entry into the city.
Daily Trust on Sunday reported that Sanusi, accompanied by the governor, deputy governor, speaker of the State Assembly, and other dignitaries, arrived at the palace around 1:00 am.
Conversely, Bayero, who had visited the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona in Ogun State, prior to his dethronement, was welcomed back to Kano by a large gathering early Saturday. He proceeded to the Nassarawa mini palace, escorted by military, police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel, sparking rumors of support from the federal government.
Previously, there were whispers that a high-ranking federal official had influenced the granting of the injunction by Justice A. M. Liman of the Federal High Court in Kano, which barred the state government from enforcing the new emirate law that reinstated Sanusi as Emir of Kano.
Yesterday, both Gidan Dabo and Gidan Nassarawa witnessed a flurry of activity as supporters of the two cousins paid their respects separately.
NSA Refutes Claims of Arranging Deposed Emir's Flight
Aminu Abdusalam Gwarzo, the deputy governor of Kano, accused from Gidan Rumfa Palace—where Sanusi had taken up residence—that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had arranged two aircraft to transport the ousted emir back to Kano.
"Their intentions remain unclear," he stated.
In response, Zakari Mijinyawa, the spokesperson for the Office of the NSA, denied these claims.
"Political figures should avoid misleading the public while law enforcement strives to preserve peace and order," Mijinyawa remarked.
Furthermore, Ribadu's attorney, Sanusi Musa, SAN, demanded that the deputy governor withdraw his statement.
"You have unjustly maligned the esteemed office of the National Security Adviser, which our client holds, by depicting it as a tool for political manipulation. You have also tarnished the reputation of our client, known for his integrity and honesty," the lawyer addressed the deputy governor.
Police Commit to Upholding Court Order Against Sanusi's Return
Usaini Mohammed Gumel, the state's Commissioner of Police, disregarded Governor Yusuf's directive to arrest Bayero and affirmed the police's commitment to enforcing the court order that halted Sanusi's return.
Governor Yusuf's spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, had accused Bayero of inciting unrest in the state.
"The ex-emir was covertly brought into Kano last night, attempting to reclaim the palace by force two days after his removal by the governor.
As the Chief Security Officer of the state, His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has instructed the Commissioner of Police to detain the former Emir immediately for disrupting public peace and threatening the state's stability," part of the statement read.
At a subsequent press briefing, CP Gumel announced the police's adherence to the court order, cautioning against any disturbances.
"The police command, along with all law enforcement agencies in the state, is strictly following the court order from the Federal High Court in Kano, dated 23rd May 2024.
We urge the public to recognize that the police, military, and other security agencies are united in providing comprehensive security, as we are dedicated to fulfilling our constitutional responsibilities," CP Gumel stated.
After the press conference, Gumel, alongside the Director of the State Security Services and other security leaders, met with Bayero.
Speaking later in Hausa, Bayero emphasized the supremacy of the law, urging patience and compliance while the legal proceedings unfold.
"We appeal for justice in this matter. Kano's influence extends throughout Nigeria; its peace is crucial to the nation. We pray for Allah's blessings on Kano and for just and responsible leadership. Justice must prevail, as no one is above the law.
"We will abide by the law's verdict. I am grateful for the concern shown by many. As I have said, justice will run its course. We continue to pray for Kano's peace. May Allah protect us," Bayero stated.
Sanusi's Message to Security Officials
Security chiefs later visited Sanusi and Governor Yusuf at the Gidan Rumfa Palace.
A source from the meeting disclosed that the governor permitted the security officials to speak with Sanusi privately.
The security chiefs reportedly informed Sanusi of their duty to enforce the court order preventing his reinstatement.
"During the meeting, which lasted over an hour, the emir expressed that the state government's actions were a rectification of past wrongs against him.
He mentioned that he had yet to see the court order, referring to it as a 'media court order' until it is presented to him," the source relayed to Daily Trust.
In a TVC interview, Sanusi reiterated that his reinstatement rectified an injustice to Kano's people, culture, and traditions.
He lamented the lack of opportunity to defend himself before his 2020 dethronement.
State Assembly's Procedural Misstep – Dan Agundi
Aminu Babba Danagundi, a Kano kingmaker who obtained the restraining order against Sanusi's reinstatement, held a press conference at the Nassarawa mini palace, explaining his challenge to the new Kano Emirates Law that dismissed the five emirs.
Danagundi, reinstated as Sarkin Dawaki Babba and appointed a kingmaker by Emir Aminu Bayero, criticized the State House of Assembly for bypassing due process, noting the absence of a public hearing.
He announced that the five deposed emirs would join his lawsuit against the new legislation.
Atiku, Ulama, NBA Caution Federal Government
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar argued that the federal government's deployment of security forces in Kano amidst the emirate dispute violates the amended 1999 constitution.
In a statement from his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku cautioned against any federal interference that could destabilize Kano's longstanding peace.
Likewise, the Kano council of ulamas, led by Shaikh Abdullahi Uwais Limanci, expressed concern that the situation, if mishandled, could spiral into chaos.
The council urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to permit the residents of Kano State to settle the matter peacefully “without resorting to any form of violence or loss of life.”
Furthermore, the Kano State division of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), through a declaration by its chairman, Sagir Suleiman Gezawa, stated that the military does not possess the authority to enforce a court order.
