The raging controversy arising from the creation of new emirates in the ancient city of Kano, Kano state, is far from over, as Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said he had requests from some groups to sack the Emir of Kano, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi 11.
Governor Ganduje had created four new emirates out of the existing Kano emirate, a development perceived by some by attempts to whittle down the influence of Emir Sanusi.
But the governor had consistently justified the creation by saying it was in line with the people’s demand.
And consequent upon an ex parte motion dated May 10, 2019 and filed by Hon. Sule Gwarzo, Justice Nasiru Saminu of the state High Court stopped the new emirates from being inaugurated on the ground of procedural lapses.
However, in an executive bill, the governor sought and got the endorsement of the state House of Assembly for the creation of the new entities.
And in a fresh twist, the governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Abba Anwar, Thursday said some 35 civil society organisations were asking him to sack the royal father.
Palace mum
When our correspondent tried seeking the reaction of the emir, a palace source told Blueprint that the monarch won’t comment on matter subsisting in court.
Our reporter gathered on good authority that “the palace has taken the decision to keep a sealed lip, as regards the predicament of the embattled emir, since there is still a pending case to that effect.”
The request
However, in a statement by his media aide, the governor said the CSOs were concerned that the royal father was allegedly making efforts to create a state within a state.
The governor’s aide, who was however silent on the identities of the CSOs, said the request was signed by the coalition group’s Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Ali.
The statement is titled ‘Gov. Ganduje Receives Letter from CSOs Urging for Immediate Dethronement of Emir Sanusi II.’
It reads: Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state has received a letter from a coalition of 35 civil society groups urging him to, in the interest of protecting the sanctity of the rule of law, and the mandate given to him by Kano electorate, as a matter of urgency, start the process of dethroning the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.”
The letter titled “Kano State Emirate Council Law, 2019: Demand Letter” reads: “The coalition of 35 Civil Society Groups under the above-mentioned group (umbrella of Kano concerned civil society groups) are curiously studying the unfolding events in the running of Kano state affairs especially in recent time, as it relates to the lingering face-off between the Government of Kano State on one hand and the Emir of Kano on the other hand.”
The statement also said: “Reminding specifically that, matters that arose from the aftermath of Kano state High Court decision nullifying the Kano state Emirate Council Law, that was enacted by the state House of Assembly, which eventually paved way for the enactment of another Law, creating additional 4 First Class Emirates, which also empowers the Governor to take disciplinary measures against any erring emir, “…should be effected,” according to the letter.
“The letter was signed by Comrade Ibrahim Ali, Chairman of the Coalition, which continues that, “Soon afterwards, the same Law which repeals all the existing Emirate Councils Laws, and consolidates it in the Kano state Emirate Council Law 2019, was again been challenged first by the purportedly 5 kingmakers from one of the 5 Emirates established by the said law.”
“The letter lamented that, even the “…second litigation was initiated by the so-called Kano state Elders who indulged their group in their understanding that, the Law was aimed at distorting 1000 years of heritage or thereafter of Kano.”
“After narrating all the disagreed areas in the letter, the group demands that, “That the action of the Emir of Kano Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II of continued undermining the constituted authority of the government of Kano state and its organs, is not only unconstitutional, but is an effort to create a state within a state which no responsible leadership will tolerate and allow to remain unabated.”
“After dismissing the “Kano Elders” claim in making reference to “1000 years of heritage” the group deems it to say that that position was diversionary and only an attempt to derail from the reality, “…that the so-called elders making reference to 1000 years old heritage are completely derailing from the reality.”
They said “With the recent decision of Kano state High Court, His Excellency shall proceed and ensure the full take-off of the Council of Emirs in the state, so as to stop the current distraction and generation of controversy.”
“If the Emir of Kano fails to submit to the authority of the government of Kano state, we call on the Governor of Kano state on the strongest term, to act strictly in accordance with the provision of Kano Emirate Council Law 2019 in order to heed the state forward,” the letter further added.
The group hoped “their demands and recommendations get the governor’s attention, noting and further necessary action, as provided by the Law establishing all the 4 Emirates in the state.”
