Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, said a coalition of 35 civil society organisations has written him a letter calling for the immediate dethronement of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
He said the CSOs want Sanusi removed for disobedience to constituted authority.
The governor said on Thursday in a statement by his spokesman, Abba Anwar, that the CSOs are concerned that Sanusi is making efforts to create a state within a state.
Mr Anwar did not list the 35 CSOs but said their request was signed by Ibrahim Ali, described as the chairman of the coalition.
The governor’s spokesman did not say if Ganduje would follow through on the CSOs’ wish.
Ganduje recently created four new emirates and appointed first-class emirs to head them in a move believed to be aimed at reducing Sanusi’s influence.
“Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state has received a letter from a coalition of 35 civil society groups urging him to, in the interest of protecting the sanctity of the rule of law, and the mandate given to him by Kano electorate, as a matter of urgency, start the process of dethroning the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II,” the statement said.
“The letter titled ‘Kano State Emirate Council Law, 2019 : Demand Letter’ states clearly that, ‘The coalition of 35 Civil Society Groups under the above-mentioned group (UMBRELLA OF KANO CONCERNED CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS) are curiously studying the unfolding events in the running of Kano State affairs especially in recent time, as it relates to the lingering face-off between the Government of Kano State on one hand and the Emir of Kano on the other hand.’”
The statement also said: “The letter seeks that, ‘If the Emir of Kano fails to submit to the authority of the government of Kano State, we call on the Governor of Kano State on the strongest term, to act strictly in accordance with the provision of Kano Emirate Council Law 2019 in order to heed the state forward.’
“They concluded that they hope their demands and recommendations get the governor’s attention, noting and further necessary action, as provided by the Law establishing all the 4 Emirates in the state.”
