The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has allegedly intensified efforts to seize control of the Kano Emirate to re-enthrone his inlaw, Ado Bayero.
This claim was made by the deputy governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, during a conversation with journalists at the emir’s palace, Gidan Rumfa, on Saturday.
Gwarzo asserted that the NSA ordered the return of HRH Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir of Kano, expressing confusion over the NSA’s intentions.
According to Gwarzo, the NSA provided two jets to transport the dethroned emir to Kano and arranged his return to the emirate. He also mentioned the deployment of officers from the Nigerian Army and the State Security Service (SSS) to ensure Bayero’s reinstatement.
The dethroned emir arrived in Kano around 4 a.m. on Saturday on a chartered flight from Abuja after visiting the Awujale of Ijebuland in Ogun state. He was accompanied by several military escorts and welcomed by a crowd of supporters.
Security officials drove the dethroned emir to the Emir’s palace in Nassarawa, reportedly enforcing a Federal High Court judgment granted by Justice Muhammadu Liman, who is currently in the United States.
In response, the governor vowed to report the judge to the Nigeria Governors Forum for halting the reinstatement of Mr. Lamido as the 16th Kano Emir in absentia.
The reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II was escorted into the palace at midnight by the governor, his deputy, and the speaker of the House of Assembly, amidst heavy security, after learning of the alleged plot to enthrone Bayero.
Security chiefs and the director of the SSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, reportedly met with Sanusi to persuade him to vacate the newly regained office without incident. The NSA is reportedly a son-in-law to the deposed emir, while Sanusi, a former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, is a close friend of former Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai, whose ministerial nomination was blocked by Ribadu due to personal grievances.
Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf, through his spokesperson Sanusi Bature, directed the Nigeria Police Force to arrest the deposed emir for allegedly causing tension in the state and attempting to forcefully return to the palace after his dethronement. Yusuf stated that the former emir was smuggled into Kano city to forcefully return to the palace, disrupting public peace.
However, the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usain Gumel, announced at the Command Headquarters that his men would comply with the Court Order, SUIT No. FHC/KN/CS/182/2024, dated May 23, 2024, issued by the Federal High Court in Kano.
Previously, the governor signed the Kano State Emirate Council (Amendment Number 2) Law, 2024, which abolished the five additional emirate councils to reinstate Sanusi, who was deposed in 2020 by former governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
Consequently, the governor dismissed Bayero and other emirs appointed by Ganduje, giving them 48 hours to vacate their palaces and hand over to the commissioner of local government and chieftaincy affairs.
