Emirship tussle: Abba Yusuf directs security agencies to arrest protesters

Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, has ordered security operatives to arrest entities or students planning to protest against the dethronement of Aminu Bayero as Emir of Kano.

In a statement on Wednesday, Sanusi Tofa, the governor’s spokesperson, said some political agitators are sponsoring student associations from other north-east states to protest the dethronement of the Emir.

Tofa said the decision to prohibit public demonstrations is aimed at “averting any potential breakdown of law and order orchestrated by adversaries of the state”.

The spokesperson said the governor has directed the police, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to apprehend and detain any individual or groups partaking in demonstrations on the streets of Kano.

“We are privy to credible intelligence indicating that certain prominent figures from the opposition party in Kano have devised plans to sponsor student associations and political agitators from other north-western states to incite chaos under the guise of advocating for the dethroned Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero,” the statement reads.

“Through this declaration, we caution student groups against being manipulated by troublemakers who are resolute in fomenting disorder in Kano.”

The Kano governor urged residents to continue with their daily activities, adding that the government will tackle individuals trying to destabilise the peace of the state.

Protests erupted across Kano last weekend over the emirship tussle in the state.

THE CONTROVERSY

Last Friday, Sanusi was reinstated as Emir by Yusuf at a colourful ceremony in government house.

The Kano house of assembly had repealed the law that Abdullahi Ganduje, the former governor of the state, used to depose and exile Sanusi in 2020.

The repeal paved the way for the reinstatement of Sanusi and the dethronement of Aminu Bayero.

On May 23, a federal high court in Kano ordered the state government not to enforce the Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024.

Bayero returned to Kano from a trip to Ogun on Saturday and moved into a palace in Nassarawa LGA.

The Kano governor ordered Bayero’s arrest “for creating tension in the state”.

A detachment of soldiers has been keeping watch over the Nassarawa palace since the arrest order.

Subsequently, Usaini Gumel, commissioner of police in Kano, said security agencies would obey the court order on Sanusi’s reinstatement.

Amid the controversy, supporters of Bayero took to the streets to protest the dethronement.

On Monday, the Kano government said the protests in some parts of the state were the handiwork of politicians who wanted to create chaos.

Subsequently, different courts have issued restraining orders against Bayero and Sanusi.