Says order issued from US
The governor of Kano State, Mr Abba Yusuf, on Friday ignored the restraining order of the Federal High Court in the state and reinstated Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano.
Recall that Justice Mohammed Liman yesterday issued an order stopping the reinstatement of Sanusi via an application filed by the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate, Mr Aminu Babba Dan Agundi.
Also yesterday, the Kano State house of assembly had dissolved all the four emirate councils created during the administration of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of the state, Mr Abdullahi Ganduje.
The new law entitled ‘Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment number 2) Bill, 2024’ passed by the House of Assembly and assented to by the state governor, Mr Abba Yusuf, repealed the ‘Kano Emirate Council Law 2019’, ‘Kano State Emir’s Appointment and Deposition Amendment Law 2019’ and ‘Kano State Emirate Council Amendment Law 2023’ which created five emirates in Kano and paved the way for the deposition of Sanusi.
Consequently, Yusuf announced the reappointed of Sanusi as the Emir of Kano and deposed five emirs installed by Ganduje.
He issued a 48-hour ultimatum to them to vacate their official quarters and palaces and directed them to hand over all affairs to the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs.
Those affected by the directive included the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero; Emir of Karaye; Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar II; Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim and the Emir of Rano, Alhaji Kabiru Inuwa.
Speaking at the reinstatement ceremony held at Government House in Kano on Friday, Yusuf said Sanusi was a victim of victimisation by Ganduje, adding that his deposition in 2020 after six years in office was not the wish of his subjects.
“Our respected father, the Emir of the people, Your Highness, I am highly delighted and feel happy to see the history of this event. Today, I am going to proceed with the letter of reinstatement to the Emir of Kano.
“We had a series of meetings with the kingmakers yesterday, extensive discussions with the Speaker, and we also sat with all the heads of security. At the end of the day, we all gathered in the chamber where I received the bill that repealed the former law, and we signed the new law repealing all the appointments.
“We did that out of our convictions and belief that this gentleman was victimised in 2019. We all feel that we must restore what is due to the good people of the state.
“Let me use this opportunity to humbly thank the Speaker and all members of the House for your determination and respect for the rule of law. It shows your interest in the welfare of the people of the state.
“By the powers conferred on me by the Kano Emirate Council law of 1984 and 2024, and supported by the recommendation of the kingmakers, I have the singular pleasure to confirm the reappointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and the head of the Kano Emirate Council.
“As the Emir is being appointed for the second time, it is based on his competence, credibility, and popularity. I urge him to be guided by the principles of Islamic teachings and to use his position to unite the emirate, fostering harmony among the Islamic sects in the state,” Yusuf said.
The governor also said he would report Justice Liman for allegedly issuing a court order from the United States.
He said he would report the judge to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
“The person that issued the court order was in America but he is ordering us to stop what we are doing. This issue of abuse I must present it before the Governor’s Forum so that we can tackle it accordingly.
“We are agents of following due process, that’s why we did what we did openly before everybody. Those that are meant to maintain that rule of law remains must follow that also,” he added.
