By Abiola Olawale
The crisis rocking the throne of Emir of Kano has continued to take different dimensions as the Kano State Government has ordered the immediate demolition of some parts of the Nasarawa mini palace housing the deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
This was made known by the Kano State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi.
Dederi who addressed a press conference held at the Government House, on Thursday night, said that the Nasarawa mini palace had been marked for renovation, including demolition of a part of its wall.
The Commissioner also ordered Bayero to vacate the palace immediately to give room for the renovation.
The order came a few hours after a Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice A. M. Liman, nullified all steps taken by the State Government sequel to the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024, which reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir by the Kano State Government.
Reacting to the court ruling, Dederi insisted that the judgment confirmed that the new Kano Emirate Law 2024 remains intact, while only actions taken post-assent to the Bill, in defiance of a prior court order, were nullified.
He said: “By the ruling of the Court, it has unequivocally reaffirmed the validity of the law passed by Kano State House of Assembly and assented to by the Executive Governor of Kano State on Thursday, 23rd May 2024, by 5:10 pm.
“This part of the judgement is very fundamental to the entire matter. A further implication of the ruling is that all actions done by the Government before the emergence of the interim order of the honourable Court are equally validated.
“This means that the abolishing of the Five emirates created in 2019 is validated and the deposition of the Five emirs is also sustained by the Federal High Court.
“By implication, this means that Muhammadu Sanusi Il remains the Emir of Kano. The signing of the law and the reinstatement of His Highness, Emir Muhammadu Sunusi Il, were done on 23rd May 2024, before the emergence of the Interim Order which was served on us on Monday, 27th May 2024.
“Following this Court’s ruling, Kano State Government has directed the State Commissioner of Police to remove the deposed emir of the 8 metropolitan local governments from the Government property where he is trespassing as the Government has already made arrangements for the general reconstruction and renovation of the property, including the demolishing and reconstruction of the dilapidated wall fence with immediate effect.”
Meanwhile, Nigerians have begun to react to the development in Kano State
Below are the reactions curated on social media:
“It appears Kano Govt doesn’t have regard for the rule of law.
That also proved to me that all Nigeria politicians are the same irrespective of the platform you are using or used.”(@Olabisilaw)
“Ado bayero can’t win the battle as far as the traditional stool of kano state is under the authority of the state govt. Sanusi respected himself immediately he fell out of favour with the govt. Bayero should know that he can’t impose himself on the govt of the day no matter what”(@tawo_j)
“That palace is a piece of history itself and should be protected. The state government should not be destroying historical artifacts and monuments accumulated over years merely for political reasons.”(@ogbeniabbey)
“The Fubara approach. Demolish to settle political scores and then use State money to rebuild. The same Governors claiming that they can’t afford the minimum wage proposed by Labour have no issues with demolishing properties worth billions and then rebuilding with State funds”(@Erithe great)
