By Joel Okwara
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has tendered an apology to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, after he was accused of meddling in the Kano emirship crisis.
The governor apologised to Ribadu during a meeting with the NSA, held behind closed doors in his office in Abuja on Thursday, May 30, sources revealed.
The New Diplomat reports that Governor Yusuf dethroned Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir of Kano, and reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II, after enactment of the Kano State Emirates Council Law 2024.
The governor ordered Bayero’s arrest after his return to Kano and occupied the Nassarawa palace, a Guest House for the Emir of Kano, citing concerns about escalating tension in the state.
This led to the deployment of troops to the palace, giving the impression that the deposed Emir Bayero had the backing of the Federal Government.
Kano State Deputy Governor Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo had accused Ribadu of giving Ado Bayero support to return to Kano after his dethronement.
Ribadu denied the allegation and threatened to sue Gwarzo, whom he gave a 24-hour ultimatum to retract the allegation, and tender apologise to be similarly given wide publicity as the accusation against him (Ribadu).
However, Mr Gwarzo beat the deadline, and apologised to Ribadu, attributing the allegation to wrong information available to him. Governor Yusuf’s visit to Ribadu was to physically affirm his deputy’s apology to the NSA.
Though Yusuf described his meeting with Ribadu as a “fruitful engagement,” the governor apologised verbally to Ribadu over what transpired last week, reports Daily Trust, quoting sources privy to what was discussed.
“The governor and the NSA spoke heart-to-heart in Hausa. He appealed verbally to the NSA over the comment made by his deputy last week.
“The governor felt that apologising to him in the media was not enough, hence the reason for the personal visit to Abuja,” one of the sources said.
Also, the governor’s spokesman, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, in a statement on May 30, confirmed that Governor Yusuf retracted the allegation and offered an apology to the NSA.
He said the meeting, which lasted for more than an hour, discussed the situation in the state since the abrogation of the five new emirates and reinstatement of Sanusi as emir.
“Recognizing the respected professional background and integrity of the NSA throughout his time as an officer and anti-corruption campaigner, the state deemed it necessary to retract the allegation and offer a sincere apology,” the statement said.
The meeting coincided with Sanusi’s sixth day at the Kano palace, where a significant majority of district heads and members of the Tijjaniyya Shura Council, a council of the Islamic sect, have affirmed their loyalty to him.
It was observed that many Kano residents were going about their normal activities, even as security agents were seen at the Emir’s palace and the guest house where Bayero is staying.
