Abdullahi Ganduje, the governor of Kano, has disclosed that he has received a letter from 35 civil society organisations asking him to dethrone Muhammad Sanusi II, emir of Kano, for disobedience to the state’s authority.
According to a statement made available to the media on Thursday, Governor Ganduje’s spokesperson, Abba Anwar, revealed the civil societies are concerned that emir Sanusi making plans to create a state within a state.
Mr Anwar did not, however, list the 35 civil societies but said their request was signed by Ibrahim Ali, described as the chairman of the coalition.
Recall that Governor Ganduje broke the powerful Kano emirate into five emirates and appointed four other first-class emirs in May.
Critics, however, pointed out that the governor’s decision was a move to whittle down emir Sanusi’s influence and control of 34 local government areas in the state after the latter was critical of his government and did not support his re-election.
Before the new law was put in place, the emir of Kano was the only first-class emir in the state.
Related: Kano Emirate: Ganduje’s new emirs shun emir Sanusi at state function
But Gov. Ganduje has defended his actions saying it was in meeting with the popular demand of residents of the state.
In his statement, Mr Anwar did not indicate if the governor would commence the process to dethrone emir Sanusi and when that would be done.
Below is Mr Anwar’s full statement.
Kano Emirates: Gov. Ganduje Receives Letter From CSOs Urging For Immediate Dethronement of Emir Sanusi II
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state has received a letter from a coalition of 35 civil society groups urging him to, in the interest of protecting the sanctity of the rule of law, and the mandate given to him by Kano electorate, as a matter of urgency, start the process of dethroning the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The letter titled “Kano State Emirate Council Law, 2019 : Demand Letter” states clearly that, “The coalition of 35 Civil Society Groups under the above-mentioned group (UMBRELLA OF KANO CONCERNED CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS) are curiously studying the unfolding events in the running of Kano State affairs especially in recent time, as it relates to the lingering face-off between the Government of Kano State on one hand and the Emir of Kano on the other hand.”
Reminding specifically that, matters that arose from the aftermath of Kano State High Court decision nullifying the Kano State Emirate Council Law, that was enacted by the State House of Assembly, which eventually paved way for the enactment of another Law, creating additional 4 First Class Emirates, which also empowers the Governor to take disciplinary measures against any erring emir, “…should be effected,” according to the letter.
The letter was signed by Comrade Ibrahim Ali, Chairman of the Coalition, which continues that, “Soon afterwards, the same Law which repeals all the existing Emirate Councils Laws, and consolidates it in the Kano State Emirate Council Law 2019, was again been challenged first by the purportedly 5 kingmakers from one of the 5 Emirates established by the said law.”
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The letter lamented that, even the “…second litigation was initiated by the so-called Kano State Elders who indulged their group in their understanding that, the Law was aimed at distorting 1000 years of heritage or thereafter of Kano.”
After narrating all the disagreed areas in the letter, the group demands that, “That the action of the Emir of Kano Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II of continued undermining the constituted authority of the government of Kano State and its organs, is not only unconstitutional, but is an effort to create a state within a state. Which no responsible leadership will tolerate and allow to remain unabated.”
After dismissing the “Kano Elders” claim in making reference to “1000 years of heritage” the group deems it to say that that position was diversionary and only an attempt to derail from the reality, “…that the so-called elders making reference to 1000 years old heritage are completely derailing from the reality.”
They suggested that “With the recent decision of Kano State High Court, His Excellency shall proceed and ensure the full take-off of the Council of Emirs in the State. So as to stop the current distraction and generation of controversy.”
The letter seeks that, “If the Emir of Kano fails to submit to the authority of the government of Kano State, we call on the Governor of Kano State on the strongest term, to act strictly in accordance with the provision of Kano Emirate Council Law 2019 in order to heed the state forward.”
They concluded that they hope their demands and recommendations get the governor’s attention, noting and further necessary action, as provided by the Law establishing all the 4 Emirates in the state.
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