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Emir crisis: Presidency dismisses Kwankwaso’s Kano alarm

Katsina City News
18 Jun, 2024
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The Presidency yesterday denied allegations by the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) National Leader Rabiu Kwankwaso that the Federal Government was planning to declare a state of emergency in Kano State.

It described the alleged plot to suspend democratically elected structures in the Northwest state as a “mere rumour.’’

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga told The Nation last night that there was no circumstance to warrant an emergency declaration on the state.

Kwankwaso, who was the party’s presidential candidate in last year’s general election, had on Sunday alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government was taking sides in the Kano Emir tussle.

However, the Presidency said: “There is no truth in it. It is a mere rumour. The Federal Government cannot declare any state of emergency in any state without the involvement of the National Assembly. There is no such plan. It is a mere rumour.

“The National Assembly is in recess. No President can just wake up and declare a state of emergency in any state.”

Also, the Commissioner of Police in Kano, Ussain Gumel, denied allegations that his men were biased in the emirate crisis.

In a telephone conversation with The Nation, the police chief said the force’s mandate is to protect lives and property.

He said it was their duty to protect both emirs, “which is what we are still doing.”

Gumel said men and officers of the police and other security agencies have been neutral.

He added that the police received about five court orders on the emirate tussle.

The CP said: “The issue is before the federal and state courts. We are waiting for judgment.

“We received about five court orders and forwarded them to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. We are waiting for his response and directives.

“And while awaiting the outcome in court or directives from the AGF, we must protect the contending emirs.

“We also have to protect the subjects of both emirs as well as residents of the state.

“My appeal to the public is for them to exercise patience and calm while we await the outcome from the relevant authorities.”

Kwankwaso spoke during the inauguration of 82-kilometre rural road networks in his hometown, Madobi Local Government.

He also accused security agencies of backing deposed Emir Aminu Ado-Bayero.

He said the Federal Government was listening to the wrong people in making decisions on the emirate issue.

The former governor of the state warned that the people would resist any attempt to undermine the constituted authority.

He said: “We have mass followers because people believe in us; we are pro-people and the NNPP administration is determined to serve them anywhere they voted for it.

“We will not fold our arms and watch enemies of the state destroy the peaceful co-existence of our dear state, as we shall do everything possible to support the governor (Abba Yusuf) to succeed. I am happy that he is not distracted and is focused on achieving his goals.

“Some people from Kano, who are enemies of the state, are the ones advising the Federal Government on how to take over Kano through a state of emergency.

“This is madness of the highest order that the good, peace-loving, and committed people of Kano will resist.”

Kwankwaso also stated that “ahead of 2027, some desperate politicians are already on a mission of disruption.’’

He warned: “We will rather prefer the two of us to lose than to allow them to crush us unnecessarily.

“We dare anybody, who thinks he can victimise us politically, to go and be rest assured that we are ready for the fight.

“We are not afraid to be out of power because we will remain politicians in or out of government.

“We cannot run away from our destiny; we are humans; we know what is good for us and we will pursue it vigorously.”

The NNPP national leader added that the “unpatriotic politicians” from Kano advising the Federal Government wrongly would only contribute to its failure.

He, however, said the state government and the people of Kano were ready to dialogue on the tussle over the Emir stool.

“We are open to dialogue, truce, and reconciliation, but we will not accept intimidation and political harassment of any sort. We know how to play politics and we have all it takes to protect ourselves from any evil,” Kwankwaso said.

Kano has been on the edge since May 23 when Ado-Bayero was deposed and Sanusi reinstated as the Emir.

While Sanusi, a one-time governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), moved into the main Palace in the Gidan Rumfa area of Kano City, Ado-Bayero, who was out of the state when he was sacked, returned and moved into the Nasarawa palace.

Both are currently seeking legal interpretation on who is the authentic monarch of the ancient city.