ABUJA, NIGERIA – On Friday, protesters gathered at the Presidential Villa and the National Assembly in Abuja, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the escalating crisis over the Kano Emirate. The demonstrators, marching peacefully, carried banners expressing concerns about the turmoil in Kano and urged the President to use his influence to restore peace and stability in the state.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State recently dissolved the five Emirates Council and reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano. This followed the governor’s signing of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law. The move has sparked significant controversy and unrest.
The protesters, under the banner of the Concerned Patriots of Nigeria, accused Governor Yusuf of abusing his office by dismantling the traditional council. Abdullahi Muhammed Saleh, the group’s coordinator, articulated their grievances, stating, “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 further criticized Governor Yusuf’s administration, highlighting a series of actions perceived as detrimental to the state’s welfare and democratic values. He accused the governor of initiating a demolition spree that impoverished residents and of attempting to undermine political structures, including interfering with other political parties. He also condemned the governor’s manipulation of the Kano State House of Assembly to facilitate the recent changes in the emirate structure, which he viewed as an affront to the autonomy and separation of powers guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
“The Governor’s choice of actions flies in the face of reason and has no place in a sane and civilized society,” Saleh stated. “We urge Governor Yusuf to retrace his steps and stop further undermining the peace of Kano state and by implication the peace in Nigeria.”
The protesters also criticized the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)-dominated Kano State House of Assembly, labeling it a “conclave of shame” for acting as a rubber stamp for the governor’s controversial decisions. They warned that the governor’s actions could ignite further unrest and destabilize the region.
In their appeal to President Tinubu, the protesters emphasized the urgency of his intervention. “The situation would deteriorate by the day, and we need the President’s urgent attention to prevent further breakdown of law and order,” they asserted. “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.”
As the political tension in Kano continues to rise, all eyes are on President Tinubu to mediate and restore order in the state. The protesters’ plea underscores the broader implications of the crisis, highlighting the need for swift and decisive action to safeguard the stability of one of Nigeria’s most historically significant regions.
