THE Nigerian Army has denied any involvement in the ongoing emirate conflict in Kano State, despite allegations made by the Nigerian Bar Association’s Kano chapter.
A Federal High Court in Kano on Thursday, issued an ex parte injunction prohibiting Governor Abba Yusuf from reinstalling Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. The court also suspended the execution of a new law that would dissolve the four emirates of Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano.
Despite the court judgement, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf reinstalled Sanusi as Emir of Kano, stating that the judge who gave the order was not physically present in Nigeria when it was made.
Later, a news outlet (not Naijatimes) reported that the Army was used to enforce the court’s decision and prevent Sanusi from being reinstalled.
In response, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations, issued a statement yesterday denying the Army’s involvement in the tussle, saying its only job is to ensure no violation of security.
“Contrary to insinuations by the Kano state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association as published by Premium Times on 26 May 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army have not been involved in the Kano state emirate tussle and are not involved in enforcing any court order. They have only taken proactive steps to checkmate any possible breakdown or breach of the security that may be occasioned by the Kano Emirship tussle.
“The issue of paramount concern to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies is the prevention of breakdown of law and order in the state, which could be taken advantage of by adversarial non-state actors,” the statement added.
The military said it would imminently intervene when it becomes apparent that the intensity of the security situation becomes overwhelming for the police.
“All the Army is doing at this stage is to monitor the situation as it unfolds and be on standby in the event of any escalation that could threaten the security of the state and the region in general.”
Sanusi was reinstated as the 14th Emir of Kano exactly 1,545 days after being removed from the throne.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf approved his reappointment last week after signing the Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment number 2) Bill, 2024, which was Amended by the House of Assembly.
The new law repealed the immediate past governor’s Kano Emirate Council Law 2019, Kano State Emir’s Appointment and Deposition Amendment Law 2019, and Kano State Emirate Council Amendment Law 2023, which established five emirates in Kano and paved the way for Sanusi’s deposition.
Ganduje effectively dethroned Sanusi on March 9, 2020.
With the new development, Governor Yusuf gave the five former emirs 48 hours to evacuate all official houses and turn over former emirate properties to the deputy governor.
This prompted the Kano State House of Assembly to dethrone the five emirs and abolish the five emirates established by Ganduje at a special session on the House floor presided over by Speaker Jibrin Falgore.
The Assembly passed the Kano Emirates Council Law (repeal bill) 2024 after scaling the second and third readings.
The Majority Leader and member representing the Dala Constituency, Lawan Hussaini, proposed the Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment No. 2) Law, 2024.
