Protesters stormed the Presidential Villa and the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Friday, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing Kano Emirate crisis.
The protesters marched peacefully, carrying signs and banners with different inscriptions, such as “Kano is boiling”, expressing their concerns about the escalating situation in the ancient city.
They urged Tinubu to use his good offices to resolve the crisis and ensure the restoration of peace and stability in the state.
Recall that Governor Abba Yusuf dissolved the five emirates on Thursday and reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano.
The development came after the governor signed the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024.
Concerned over the implications of the governor’s move, the protesters, under the auspices of the Concerned Patriots of Nigeria, said Governor Yusuf had taken his abuse of office to another level by dissolving the traditional council.
The group’s coordinator, Abdullahi Muhammed Saleh, alleged that the governor has made policies that have triggered unrest in the state since his assumption of office in May 2023.
He said, “This stunt of sacking five emirs to install his acolyte was achieved by manipulating the Kano State House of Assembly, which he had successfully turned into a rubber stamp for endorsing his illegal acts.
“He has eroded the autonomy guaranteed by the separation of powers as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
He said, “This stunt of sacking five emirs to install his acolyte was achieved by manipulating the Kano State House of Assembly, which he had successfully turned into a rubber stamp for endorsing his illegal acts.
“He has eroded the autonomy guaranteed by the separation of powers as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“It is inconceivable that any right-thinking person will descend low to the point of manipulating the traditional institution for political gimmicks.
“The Kano governor has thus proven himself to be the anti-traditional institution leader.”
“The governor’s choice of actions flies in the face of reason and has no place in a sane and civilised society. We urge Governor Yusuf to retrace his steps and stop further undermining the peace of Kano state and , by implication, the peace in Nigeria.”