The Kano Emirate Crisis intensifies as former governor Kwankwaso urges police to withdraw from Nasarawa Palace, warning of rising tension and threats to peace.
The Kano Emirate Crisis has taken a fresh turn following a strong intervention by former Kano State Governor and national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
He has openly called on the Kano State Commissioner of Police to withdraw security operatives currently stationed at the Nasarawa Mini Palace, where the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, is residing.
Kwankwaso made the appeal on Tuesday during the official launch of the Kano State Government–owned Neighbourhood Watch Corps in Kano.
Speaking before government officials, community leaders, and security stakeholders, the NNPP leader expressed deep concern over what he described as an unusual and potentially dangerous security arrangement surrounding the traditional institution.
According to Kwankwaso, the continued presence of armed personnel at the mini palace runs contrary to Kano’s long-standing customs and traditions.
He warned that the situation could fuel unnecessary tension at a time when calm and restraint are needed to safeguard peace in the state. His remarks have once again brought the Kano Emirate Crisis to the forefront of public discourse.
Kwankwaso was unequivocal in his stance on the legitimacy of the Kano Emirship. He reiterated that Muhammadu Sanusi II, who was recently reinstated by the Abba Kabir Yusuf–led administration, remains the only recognised Emir of Kano under the law.
He cautioned that maintaining parallel traditional authorities could destabilise the emirate system and create confusion among residents.
“The legitimate Emir of Kano is Muhammadu Sanusi II. He remains the rightful Emir of Kano,” Kwankwaso declared, drawing applause from sections of the audience.
He added that the survival of Kano’s rich heritage depends on respecting established institutions and lawful processes.
The roots of the Kano Emirate Crisis can be traced back to March 2020, when then-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje dethroned Sanusi II.
At the time, the government accused the emir of insubordination and cited irreconcilable political differences.
The decision generated nationwide debate, with critics arguing that political considerations overshadowed tradition.
Shortly after Sanusi’s removal, Ganduje’s administration enacted reforms that split the historic Kano Emirate into four separate emirates.
Aminu Ado Bayero was appointed Emir of Kano, alongside three other first-class emirs heading the newly created emirates.
While supporters described the move as administrative decentralisation, opponents saw it as a calculated effort to weaken the influence of the traditional institution.
The political landscape shifted following the election of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, widely viewed as a close ally and political protégé of Kwankwaso.
One of Yusuf’s early actions in office was to reverse the emirate restructuring. Backed by a new law passed by the Kano State House of Assembly, the additional emirates were dissolved, restoring the unified Kano Emirate.
This legislative change paved the way for the reinstatement of Sanusi II, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria with significant national and international standing.
The government maintained that the move was aimed at correcting past injustices and restoring the integrity of the traditional institution.
Despite these developments, Aminu Ado Bayero has continued to assert that he remains the Emir of Kano.
Following his removal, he vacated the main palace and relocated to the Nasarawa Mini Palace.
His relocation followed a court action initiated by a palace official, Dan Agundi, who sought judicial enforcement of Bayero’s fundamental human rights.
Security operatives were subsequently deployed to the Nasarawa Mini Palace, a development that has drawn criticism from various quarters.
Kwankwaso described the security presence as provocative and warned that it could undermine the fragile peace in the state. He stressed that the Kano Emirate Crisis should not be allowed to degenerate into a security challenge.
Political observers note that the situation reflects deeper tensions between law, tradition, and politics in Kano.
While the state government insists it has acted within the framework of the law, opponents argue that unresolved court cases and competing claims have left room for uncertainty.
Kwankwaso urged security agencies to act with neutrality and professionalism, emphasising that their role should be to protect lives and property, not to entrench divisions.
He appealed to all parties involved to prioritise dialogue and respect for legal processes.
As the Kano Emirate Crisis continues to unfold, residents and traditional leaders alike are watching closely.
Many fear that prolonged tension could disrupt social harmony in one of northern Nigeria’s most influential states.
For now, calls for restraint, lawful conduct, and respect for tradition remain central to efforts aimed at preventing further escalation.
Ireport247news
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