Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the Federal Government’s deployment of security forces to Kano over the emirship battle between Muhammadu Sanusi II and Aminu Ado Bayero, News About Nigeria reports.
Atiku argued that the matter is under the state’s jurisdiction since Governor Abba Yusuf enacted the repealed Kano State Emirate Council law, reinstating Sanusi as the current emir.
In a statement issued by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Saturday, Atiku warned the President Bola Tinubu-led administration not to destabilise Kano, known for its peace over the years.
The statement said, “The Federal Government’s action in deploying soldiers in Kano is an upset to the peace and security of the state and a breach of the 1999 Constitution as amended.”
Atiku explained that the Kano State House of Assembly passed the amended Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 in line with the Constitution, and Governor Abba Yusuf signed it into law.
This repealed the 2019 version that divided the ancient Kano Emirate into five. The law reappointed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano State.
Atiku expressed surprise that the former Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, backed by federal might, entered the Nasarawa Palace of the Kano Emirate while Sanusi was at his residence.
He stated that this could not have happened without federal government support, undermining the integrity of the Nigerian military.
He said, “It is surprising that in the early hours of today, 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.”
Atiku reminded the Tinubu administration that Kano State is known for peace and harmony, and any attempt to destabilise it shall be resisted.
He warned that if law and order broke down in Kano, the federal government should be held responsible for providing security cover to the former Emir.
Recall that Governor Abba Yusuf reinstated Sanusi on Friday, who entered the palace early Saturday.
However, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero returned to Kano and settled into a mini-palace later in the day.
Following his arrival and the governor’s order for his arrest, soldiers were deployed to the mini-palace.
Meanwhile, the police have stated they will obey the court’s order against Sanusi’s reinstatement.
The Commissioner of Police, Usaini Mohammed Gumel, warned troublemakers to steer clear during a press briefing on Saturday.
