Arrest Order: FG Deploys Military To Protect Dethroned Kano Emir, Bayero
The deployment of military personnel in the early hours of Saturday, May 25, 2024 to escort the deposed Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero to the mini-palace has changed the political and traditional dynamics of the ancient city of Kano thereby generating so much tension and apprehension.
This was as Governor Abba Yusuf pointedlu accused his predecessor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu of using federal might to create crisis in Kano State.
The development followed the repeal of the Kano Emirate Council Law by the House of Assembly which was quickly assented to by Governor Yusuf thereby directed sacked Emirs 48 hours within which to vacate their palaces and hand over.
While the other affected Emirs namely, Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero (Bichi), Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa (Rano), Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar II (Karaye) and Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir (Gaya), complied with the directive, the deposed Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero made a dramatic returned to the ancient city at about 4:30am on Saturday through Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, thereby exacerbated the already tensed atmosphere in the State.
The deposed Emir who observed his dawn prayer at the airport before making his way to the mini-palace at Nassarawa, was greeted by a throng of supporters that chanted verses from the Quran and expressed solidarity with him.
Disturbed by the return of Emir Ado Bayero to the city, Governor Yusuf directed the Commissioner of Police to arrest him, accusing him of creating tension in the state.
The Governor’s directive which was contained in a statement by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Special Adviser of Media, stated that Ado Bayero was smuggled into Kano city in an attempt to forcefully return to the palace two days after being deposed.
However, a team of battle ready military personnel was subsequently deployed to the mini-palace, where Ado Bayero is currently residing thereby further making the atmosphere tense.
It was against the backdrop that Governor Yusuf accused ex-Governor Ganduje of smuggling the deposed Emir, Bayero into Kano with the connivance of the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
The State Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdusalam Gwarzo, who spoke on behalf of Governor Yusuf at the Emir’s palace while speaking with journalists, said that Dr Ganduje with the support of the office of the National Security Adviser, brought in the dethroned Emir in a chartered flight on Saturday.
In the words of Abdulsalam Gwarzo; ‘’It is unfortunate that the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje is using the National Security Adviser to create tension in the state by smuggling into the state, the former emir, Aminu Ado Bayero.
“The appointment and dethronement of Emir or any traditional title is solely the prerogative of the state government, hence we are surprised that the Federal Government will be interfering in whatever happened in that direction.
‘’I am here together with the governor and other top government functionaries to ensure that the new emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II start exercising his power and authority immediately after he was given his appointment letter yesterday, Friday,” he said.’
Gwarzo appealed to Kano residents to go about their normal businesses without fear or intimidation.
Meanwhile, the security agencies said that the law still recognised Ado Bayero as the Emir of Kano based on an order of the Court.
This is as the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has moved and taken possession of the palace along with his security personnel attached to him.
