Protest Rocks Presidential Villa National Assembly Over Reinstatement Of Sanusi

Calling on President Bola Tinubu to step in and resolve the ongoing Kano Emirate conflict, protesters stormed the Presidential Villa and the National Assembly in Abuja on Friday.

Peaceful demonstrations were held, and the demonstrators carried banners with messages of worry about the worsening situation in Kano.

They pleaded on President Tinubu to employ his excellent offices to end the issue and guarantee the return of stability and peace to the State.

Muhammadu Sanusi II was reinstituted as the Emir of Kano by Kano Governor Abba Yusuf, who also abolished the five Emirates Council. This transpired subsequent to the Governor enacting the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024.

Protesters said that by dissolving the traditional council, Governor Yusuf had elevated his abuse of power under the aegis of the Concerned Patriots of Nigeria.

"Kano state has a lot of problems, but the Concerned Patriots of Nigeria decided it was preferable to let the state handle its difficult problems on its own. But Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's bold actions on Thursday—sacking five emirs in order to reinstate Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi as the state's 14th emir—have made us realise how urgent it is to voice our concerns about the destructive excesses of the governor, according to coordinator Abdullahi Muhammed Saleh.

"Governor Abba Yusuf's record of foolish actions since taking office resembles a grizzled criminal's rap sheet. He began with a demolition frenzy that aimed to impoverish the people whose lives he took an oath to enhance, all in the name of demeaning his predecessor. He therefore demonstrated his antipathy towards people.

The governor then made an effort to topple the state's political party institutions. Due to his impish fanaticism, he was able to infiltrate other political parties' structures by hiring some charlatans who claimed to have suspended Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the All Progressive Congress (APC) national chairman and, interestingly, his predecessor. He thereby demonstrated his anti-democratic views.

Through manipulation of the Kano State House of Assembly, which he had effectively converted into a rubber stamp confirming his illegal deeds, he pulled off his newest stunt, which involved firing five emirs to install his acolyte. He has undermined the independence provided by the Federal Republic of Nigeria's (as modified) Constitution's division of powers.

"Any right-thinking individual would be unthinkable if they were to manipulate the established institution for political purposes. Since his successor will return to the five emirates, we have reason to think that Abba Yusuf has laid the ground for utilising the traditional institution as old and respected as Kano's to continue a political seesaw. The humiliation inflicted upon the five emirs was most unworthy. Thus, the governor of Kano has established himself as the leader of the non-traditional institution.

They continued, saying that the governor's course of action defies logic and has no place in a civilised and reasonable society. We implore Governor Yusuf to turn around and cease threatening the stability of Kano State and, implicitly, Nigerian peace.

We also denounce the Kano State House of Assembly, which is controlled by the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) and has solidified its status as a place of shame by turning into a rubber stamp for the state governor's outrageous outbursts.

They've gone so far as to ignite the ancient city and create land breaches, along with Governor Yusuf, in their desperation. Our purpose in being here today is to implore President Tinubu to step in and resolve the Kano Emirate issue.

"To stop further breakdown of law and order, we urgently need the President's attention since the situation is getting worse by the day. We think that at this vital juncture, President Tinubu's intervention is essential. We are depending on his leadership to resolve the situation amicably and bring peace back to Kano State.