The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed deep concern over tension being created by the power tussle between the reinstated Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the dethroned Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, in Kano State.
Executive Director of CISLAC, Mr Auwal Musa-Rafsanjani ,expressed the concern in a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)The state government had on Thursday reinstated Sanusi as 16th Emir of Kano, following the amendment of the Kano State Emirate Council Law by the State House of Assembly.
Sanusi had once reigned as emir before he was sacked by the immediate past governor of the state ,Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, who also split the emirate into five, appointing Bayero as Emir of Kano.
Bayero had challenged his removal and a court order was purportedly issued on Thursday stopping the reinstatement of Sanusi
The state governor ,Mr Abba Yusuf ,on Saturday ordered the arrest of the dethroned emir ,alleging he was smuggled into the city after his removal , to breach the peace in the state.
Musa-Rajsanjani called for calm ,warning that “these developments ” could plunge the state into chaos and anarchy and undermine the peace and stability of the boarder North.
“These actions could dismantle the Kano’s political heritage of over 1000 years” he said.
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Musa-Rafsanjani said CISLAC was alarmed by the ‘controversial court order”which aims to return Bayero to power.
“This ruling was issued by a judge who is currently out of the country and not in office.
“This situation raises significant concerns about the legitimacy and appropriateness of the court order.
“The reliance on what CISLAC describes as a kangaroo court order,to justify the police and other security operatives’ invasion of Kano State is deeply troubling, and exacerbates tensions”,he said.
According to the CISLAC Director , the constitution empowers the state governor to appoint and confirm traditional leaders, including the Emir.
“The attempt to usurp this power and push the state into a state of anarchy is unacceptable.
“CISLAC firmly believes that the autonomy of the Kano State Government in managing its traditional institutions must be respected to avoid further conflicts” he said.
CISLAC urged President Bola Tinubu to resist any attempt by” desperate politicians” to disrupt the peace and harmony currently prevailing in Kano State.
“The Federal Government must not allow itself to be used as a tool to further political interests that jeopardise the stability of the state and region,” he said.
