By Joke Kujenya
KANO STATE has erupted into a new wave of tension following Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s directive for the immediate arrest of the recently deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero. The announcement, made early Saturday through the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, accuses Bayero of destabilizing the region upon his return.
The governor’s statement details an alleged clandestine entry of Bayero into Kano on Friday night, two days after his dethronement, which the administration interprets as an attempt to reclaim the palace forcefully. Governor Yusuf, asserting his role as the state’s Chief Security Officer, has tasked the Commissioner of Police with detaining Bayero to prevent further unrest and preserve public order.
Eyewitness reports indicate that Bayero’s arrival at Aminu Kano International Airport at 4:30 am was met with a significant gathering of supporters, chanting religious incantations and showing robust support for the ousted emir. His presence in the city had been shrouded in mystery since his removal from power by Governor Yusuf on Thursday.
Governor Yusuf’s decisive actions follow the state House of Assembly’s repeal of a law enacted by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, which had fragmented the Kano Emirate into five distinct entities. This legal reversal facilitated the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II, previously deposed in 2020, and sparked immediate reactions across the state’s political and traditional landscapes.
On Friday, in a symbolic and formal ceremony at the Government House, Kano, Governor Yusuf presented Sanusi with a reappointment letter, reinstating him as the 16th Emir of Kano. The ceremony was marked by Sanusi leading the Jumat prayers, solidifying his restored position.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn with the intervention of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who reportedly ordered the reinstatement of Aminu Ado Bayero as the Emir of Kano, countering Governor Yusuf’s recent actions. Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam, conveyed the administration’s perplexity and concern over this federal directive, highlighting the ensuing administrative confusion.
The reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II and the simultaneous federal directive to restore Aminu Ado Bayero have plunged Kano into a state of high alert, with a substantial security presence around the Emir’s Palace. The conflicting directives have set the stage for a potential confrontation as both state and federal authorities assert their influence over the traditional leadership in Kano.
As the political and traditional power struggle unfolds, the people of Kano await clarity and resolution in this unfolding drama that underscores the complexities and sensitivities of governance and traditional authority in Nigeria.
