The Kano Emirate was thrust into a state of tension on Friday following the deployment of heavily armed security personnel around the palace of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, preventing him from attending a traditional ceremony in Bichi. The Emir, in a subsequent address at the Emirate’s mosque, appealed for calm among his supporters, urging them to resist any provocation to violence and maintain peaceful coexistence. He emphasized the Islamic principles of patience and restraint, even in the face of adversity, stressing that resorting to violence would only lead to losses for all involved. This incident occurred against the backdrop of a complex and ongoing legal battle over the Kano Emirate throne, a dispute that has involved conflicting court rulings and heightened political sensitivities.
The security operation, which involved armored personnel and a restriction of movement around the palace, unfolded as the Emir prepared to turban and formally install the new District Head of Bichi, Munir Sanusi. The ceremony was disrupted when security operatives reportedly ordered the Emir to remain indoors. Numerous traditional leaders and title holders, who had gathered to accompany the Emir to Bichi, were stranded by the security cordon, forcing many to abandon their vehicles and walk to the mosque for Friday prayers. The heavy security presence also extended to the Bichi Emir’s Palace, further intensifying the atmosphere of uncertainty. The Kano Police Command remained unavailable for comment, leaving the reasons behind the deployment unclear and fueling speculation.
The backdrop to this incident is the recent reinstatement of Emir Sanusi by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who also dissolved the Bichi Emirate, one of four created by the previous administration, reverting it to a district under the Kano Emirate. This action effectively reversed the earlier removal of Sanusi and the appointment of Ado Bayero as Emir, further complicating the already contentious succession dispute. The Kano State Government, responding to the security operation at the Emir’s palace, urged calm and expressed surprise at the action, describing it as a calculated attempt to incite unrest. The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, stated that inquiries revealed the police deployment was “on orders from above,” alleging a conspiracy to create a crisis in the state.
Dr. Bichi, dismissing rumors of potential unrest in Bichi should Emir Sanusi attend the ceremony, highlighted the peaceful nature of the area and the connection of the new District Head to the community. He reiterated the government’s support for the Emir, promising to ensure his safe passage to Bichi for the rescheduled installation ceremony. Following Friday prayers, the security operatives were withdrawn from the Emir’s palace, allowing stranded dignitaries to retrieve their vehicles. The incident drew widespread condemnation from residents who viewed the police action as an infringement on the Emir’s rights and an unnecessary escalation of tension.
The deployment of security forces appears to be entangled in the complex legal battle surrounding the Kano Emirate throne. Conflicting rulings from a Federal High Court supporting Aminu Ado-Bayero’s authority and a Kano State High Court backing Sanusi have created an impasse regarding the legitimate exercise of emirate powers. This legal ambiguity, combined with the recent political changes in the state government, has fueled uncertainty and contributed to the heightened sensitivity surrounding the Emir’s activities. The Chief Justice of Nigeria has summoned the involved judges to address the conflicting rulings, highlighting the seriousness of the legal entanglement.
Adding further complexity to the situation is a June ruling by a Federal High Court that nullified the law creating the four additional emirate councils, effectively dissolving them and returning the Kano Emirate to its previous structure. This decision has further complicated the emirship dispute and contributed to the political and legal maneuvering surrounding the Kano Emirate, placing Emir Sanusi at the center of a power struggle fraught with historical and political undercurrents. The incident underscores the fragility of the situation and the ongoing tension surrounding the Kano Emirate’s leadership.
