Victor EzejaA body of Islamic scholars, the Ulama, has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the brewing political crisis in Kano State since Thursday following the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II as Emir.
The deposed Emir, Ado Bayero, has reported insisted on retaining the throne he ascended in 2020 under Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration when Sanusi II was dethroned.
Prime Business Africa had reported that Sanusi, a former CBN governor, was reinstated as the 16th Emir following the passage of a new Kano Emirate Council law that automatically repealed the old law and also deposed Ado Bayero and four other Emirs on Thursday. The new law paved the way for Sanusi’s reinstatement. Sanusi was subsequently presented with a letter of reinstatement by the State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, at a ceremony in the Kano State Government House on Friday.
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The development created tension in the state as the dethroned Emir, Ado Bayero, reportedly returned to the state on Friday night in an attempt to forcefully return to the palace.
Some of the deposed Emir’s supporters have claimed that he would retake the throne.
A former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, under Ganduje’s administration, Muazu Magaji has boasted that Bayero would return to the palace. He claimed that there was ongoing plans to restore the Kano’s deposed Emir to his palace.
Reacting to the return of Bayero to Kano, Governor Yusuf ordered his arrest. According to a statement by his Director General, Media and Publicity, Sanusi Bature Tofa, Governor Yusuf accused Bayero of creating tension in the state.
“The former Emir was smuggled into Kano city last night in an attempt to forcefully return to the palace two days after being deposed by the Governor,” Tofa said.
However, the police ignored the order claiming that it was obeying a court order which allegedly halted the enforcement of the new Kano Emirate Council law that Governor Yusuf assented to on Thursday after being passed by the state House of Assembly.
Kano Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usain Gumel, said the police and other security agencies in the state won’t carry out the order.
Briefing newsmen alongside other heads of security agencies in the state, Gumel said: “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.”
He called on residents of Kano State to remain peaceful and maintain law and order, warning that any act capable of leading to violence, destruction of lives and properties won’t be tolerated as the perpetrator would be adequately dealt with in line with the law.
He further said: “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 Kano police commissioner urged the residents to remain calm, and cooperate with security agencies, adding that the matter will be addressed by the Court on the 3rd of June 2024.
“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 or she can jeopardize the existing security settings in the State will be arrested and made to face full wrath of the law,” Gumel stated.
The Ulama group in a statement on Saturday asked President Tinubu to take all necessary steps to avoid breakdown of law and order in Kano State.
The Islamic scholars warned that if proper care is not taken in addressing the recent development in the state, it could degenerate into serious chaos.
“Kano State is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria despite its political complexity. The recent happenings in the Emirate if not carefully handled could escalate and degenerate into chaos.
“It is imperative for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take all necessary steps to maintain peace in the State,” part of the statement read.
The group said that while the state government has amended the Kano Emirate Council law and someone filed a suit that it violated his fundamental human rights, there was no need for “violent enforcement of any order or violent resistant to it, and we vehemently oppose any measures that will bring escalation of conflict in the State.
“Mr. President as the leader of the nation should not allow the contest for a royal stool to degenerate to violence. We are calling on Mr. President to allow the people of Kano State to resolve these issues amicably without use of any force and loss of lives.”
The Islamic scholars maintained that Kano State is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, and therefore called on all contending parties “to use civil means in resolving their differences to allow peace to reign in the state.”
Meanwhile, the deposed monarch pledged to abide by the law, adding that Kano is too important to Nigeria.
He called on the people, especially his adherents to remain law-abiding, while he awaits the outcome of the legal action.
He prayed for peace to reign in Kano, and for Allah to bless the state with just leaders.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
