A new wave of protests has swept through the streets of Kano as the tussle for the throne between Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the dethroned Emir of Kano, continues to escalate.
News About Nigeria reports that on Sunday afternoon, a group of young protesters marched through the streets, demanding the return of the deposed monarch.
The protesters, who gathered around 4 pm, lit bonfires on major roads and chanted anti-government songs as they marched towards the palace where Emir Sanusi is currently residing.
Despite the presence of policemen, the protesters were not dispersed, and their march continued uninterrupted.
The protest follows a special prayer session held earlier in the day.
This latest development comes on the heels of the Kano House of Assembly’s repeal of the Kano Emirates Council law, which was used by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to dethrone Sanusi.
The repealed law had led to a standoff between the state government and the deposed Emir, with Governor Yusuf ordering the affected Emirs to vacate their palaces within 48 hours.
While four Emirs complied, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero returned to Kano and moved into the palace at Nassarawa with heavy military protection, leading to his arrest being ordered by the governor. However, the police stated they would comply with the court order reinstating Sanusi.
In a recent interview with Television Continental (TVC), Emir Sanusi clarified that President Bola Tinubu did not interfere in his reinstatement, contrary to speculations.
He commended Tinubu for recognising the matter as a local issue and resisting pressure to interfere, allowing the state government to correct the injustice done to the people, culture, and tradition of Kano.
Sanusi expressed gratitude to the president for his principled stance.
He said: “I would also like to express my thanks to his excellency Alhaji Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, without whose principled stance of non-interference in the internal affairs of the state, this would not have been possible.”
He also thanked Tinubu for his respect for the constitution and separation of powers, whereby he recognised the matter as a local issue for the state government to resolve.
