Protesters Demand President Tinubu’s Intervention Amid Kano Emirate Crisis

By Iyojo Ameh

Protesters swarmed the Presidential Villa and the National Assembly in Abuja today, rallying for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the escalating crisis surrounding the Kano Emirate.

Carrying banners expressing their concerns, the demonstrators marched peacefully, urging President Tinubu to utilize his influence to resolve the turmoil and bring back tranquility to Kano State.

Recall that, Kano Governor state Abba Yusuf dissolved the five Emirates Council and reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano, following the enactment of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024.

Under the banner of the Concerned Patriots of Nigeria, the protesters voiced their grievances, accusing Governor Yusuf of abusing his office by dissolving the traditional council.

“A lot had been going wrong in the state but the Concerned Patriots of Nigeria had thought it best to allow Kano state to sort out its thorny issues. However, Thursday’s brash actions of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, who sacked five emirs to reappoint Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi as the 14th Emir of Kano has awoken us to the urgency of raising the alarm about the destructive excesses of the state governor.”

Saleh continued, highlighting Governor Yusuf’s actions since assuming office, accusing him of anti-people and anti-democratic behavior:

“Since being sworn into office, Governor Abba Yusuf has a string of loutish acts that run like a hardened criminal’s rap sheet. All in the name of rubbishing his predecessor, he started with a demolition spree that has served to impoverish the people whose lives he took an oath to improve. Thus he proved himself to be anti-people.”

“The Governor then attempted to destroy the structures of political parties in the state… Thus he proved himself to be anti-democratic.”

The protesters condemned the manipulation of the traditional institution for political gains, expressing their dismay at the erosion of autonomy guaranteed by the Constitution. They also criticized the Kano State House of Assembly for becoming a “rubber stamp” for the governor’s actions.

“It is inconceivable that any right-thinking person will descend low to the point of manipulating the traditional institution for political gimmicks. The humiliation meted out to the five emirs was most unbecoming… The Kano governor has thus proven himself to be the anti-traditional institution leader.”

The Concerned Patriots of Nigeria called upon President Tinubu to intervene urgently, warning of the potential escalation of the crisis and emphasizing the importance of restoring peace to Kano State:

“We are here today to appeal to President Tinubu to intervene in the Kano Emirate crisis… We believe that President Tinubu’s intervention is crucial at this critical moment. We are counting on his leadership to find a lasting solution to the crisis and ensure peace returns to Kano State.”

Protesters storm Aso Villa, National Assembly over reinstatement of Sanusi as Kano Emir
By Iyojo Ameh

Protesters on Friday stormed the Presidential Villa and the National Assembly Abuja, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing crisis over Kano Emirate.

The protesters, who marched peacefully, carried banners expressing concerns about the escalating situation in Kano.

They urged President Tinubu to use his good offices to resolve the crisis and ensure the restoration of peace and stability in the State.

Kano Governor Abba Yusuf dissolved the five Emirates Council and reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano. This came after the Governor signed the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law.

Under the auspices of the Concerned Patriots of Nigeria, the protesters said Governor Yusuf has taken his abuse of office to another level by dissolving the traditional council.

“A lot had been going wrong in the state but the Concerned Patriots of Nigeria had thought it best to allow Kano state to sort out its thorny issues. However, Thursday’s brash actions of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, who sacked five emirs to reappoint Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi as the 14th Emir of Kano has awoken us to the urgency of raising the alarm about the destructive excesses of the state governor, “ coordinator Abdullahi Muhammed Saleh said.

“Since being sworn into office, Governor Abba Yusuf has a string of loutish acts that run like a hardened criminal’s rap sheet. All in the name of rubbishing his predecessor, he started with a demolition spree that has served to impoverish the people whose lives he took an oath to improve. Thus he proved himself to be anti-people.

“The Governor then attempted to destroy the structures of political parties in the state. The impish fanaticism with which he pursued this illicit mission saw him intruding into the structure of other political parties, including hiring some charlatans who purportedly suspended the national chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, who is interestingly his predecessor. Thus he proved himself to be anti-democratic.

“This latest stunt of sacking five emirs to install his acolyte was achieved by manipulating the Kano State House of Assembly, which he had successfully turned into a rubber stamp for endorsing his illegal acts. He has eroded the autonomy guaranteed by the separation of powers as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“It is inconceivable that any right-thinking person will descend low to the point of manipulating the traditional institution for political gimmicks. The humiliation meted out to the five emirs was most unbecoming and we have cause to believe that Abba Yusuf has set the stage for using the traditional institution as ancient and as esteemed as that of Kano for a political seesaw will continue since his successor will revert to the five emirates. The Kano governor has thus proven himself to be the anti-traditional institution leader.”

They added: “The Governor’s choice of actions flies in the face of reason and has no place in a sane and civilised society. We urge Governor Yusuf to retrace his steps and stop further undermining the peace of Kano state and by implication the peace in Nigeria.

“We also condemn the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) – dominated Kano State House of Assembly that they have cemented their place as a conclave of shame to have reverted into a mere rubber stamp for the megalomanic tantrums of the state governor.

“They, alongside Governor Yusuf, have taken their desperation to an extent that could set the ancient city on fire and cause breaches in the land. We are here today to appeal to President Tinubu to intervene in the Kano Emirate crisis.

“The situation would deteriorate by the day, and we need the President’s urgent attention to prevent further breakdown of law and order. We believe that President Tinubu’s intervention is crucial at this critical moment. We are counting on his leadership to find a lasting solution to the crisis and ensure peace returns to Kano State.”