Power play intensifies in Kano as security agents refuse to arrest Bayero; we’re planning to take back palace for him, says Ganduje’s Commissioner
By Emma Ogbuehi
The intrigues and power play in the Kano Emirate Council has taken a dangerous turn that may set the state ablaze with the refusal of security agents on Saturday to arrest deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero as ordered by Governor Abba Yusuf.
This is even as a former Commissioner who served in the government of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Muazu Magaji, boasted on Saturday that plans were afoot to return Bayero to his position.
Magaji who was Commissioner of Works under Ganduje, said preparations were on to restore Kano’s deposed Bayero to his palace.
The former Commissioner, in a post on his Facebook page, said Ado Bayero would retake the palace being occupied by Sanusi.
“Now the emir’s flag has been mounted on his car. We are making preparation to take to the palace,” he wrote.
Governor Kabiru Yusuf, in a statement by his Director General, Media and Publicity, Sanusi Bature Tofa, had earlier ordered the arrest of Bayero, accusing him of “creating tension in the state.”
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“The former Emir was smuggled into Kano city last night in an attempt to forcefully return to the palace two days after being deposed by the Governor,” Yusuf said.
But the Commissioner of Police in Kano, Mohammed Usain Gumel, who addressed newsmen at the Command Headquarters, said the police and all security agencies in the state won’t carry out the order.
He said they were obeying the court order that restrained the State Government from enforcing the new law that reinstated Lamido Sanusi as 16th Emir of Kano.
With him at the briefing were: ML Falala (NSCDC); MA Sadiq (Army Commander); IS Abdullahi (Fed Road Safety Corps) and Sulaimam of the Correctional Centre, among other heads of security agencies.
Gumel said: “The Police Command is expressly obeying the Court Order with SUIT No. FHC/KN/CS/182/2024 Dated 23rd May, 2024 issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Kano alongside ail Law Enforcement agents in the State.
“Therefore, we are calling on members of the public to know that the Police in the State is working together with the military and other security agencies and are with full capacity for providing the adequate security to everyone as we are committed to carrying out our statutory duties as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
“No doubt, the law abiding people of Kano State are known for a revered cultural heritage and respect for constituted authorities and in this regard, advised to remain calm, patient, and to keep cooperating with security agencies as the matter described will be addressed by the Court on the 3rd of June 2024.
“Let me also remind you that the position of the law is very clear as whoever, under whatever guise is found to be planning to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the State or feel that he or she can jeopardize the existing security settings in the State will be arrested and made to face full wrath of the law.
“Therefore, as the Police Command is leading other security agencies to sustain the peace and peaceful coexistence for overriding interests, miscreants should stay clear of violence in all its ramifications and should not take advantage or hijack the current situation to launch unprovoked attack on people, property and infrastructure of the State. Any person found with such tendency will be ruthlessly dealt with according to the law of the land
“By and large, the combined security agencies in the State have set out all machinery in place to ensure no breakdown of law and order as the safety and security of all the inhabitants in the State remain sacrosanct.
“On this note, on behalf of all the security agencies, I thank all the good people of the State for their understanding, prayers, continuous support and cooperation.”
But in a swift reaction, Kano Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, said there was nothing anybody could do to change Sanusi’s reinstatement.
Gwarzo spoke to reporters at the palace of the Emir where Sanusi has been moved to.
He said if the police had received court order and were obeying it, the State Government did not.
He said: “When we asked who gave the court order, they said Justice Mohammed Liman and asked: the judge who is in America?”
The Deputy Governor accused the police of escorting Bayero back into the State, saying that the State Government was doing everything possible to avoid bloodshed.
The deposed Emirs were given 48 hours to leave their palaces and turn over power by Governor Abba Yusuf, who signed the repealed Kano Emirates Council Law on Thursday.
While the other Emirs – Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero (Bichi), Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa (Rano), Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar II (Karaye) and Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir (Gaya), obeyed the order, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero (Kano), returned to the ancient city, on Saturday.
The aircraft that conveyed the monarch touched down at the Aminu Kano International Airport at 4:30 am.
His supporters surrounded him immediately and began chanting a passage from Surah Al-Fatihah of the Holy Quran.
“You (alone) we worship, and you (alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).”
While some others were saying, “God the Almighty will kill your enemies.”
He later observed Subhi (dawn prayer) at the airport after which he made his way to the mini-palace at Nasarawa.
Responding to the action of Ado Bayero, Governor Yusuf ordered his immediate arrest, saying he was creating tension in the state.