NEWS
JUST IN: Sanusi’s Triumphant Return To Kano, Greeted With Massive Protests In Abuja
As widely speculated, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on Friday presented Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi with a letter appointing him as the Emir of Kano.
However, as the event was happening in Kano, protesters stormed the Presidential Villa and the National Assembly Abuja, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing crisis over Kano Emirate.
Biztellers reports that following legislative actions, by the Kano State House of Assembly, including a repeal of an existing law and a resolution, Sanusi moved into Abuja on Thursday with royal paraphernalia.
All that was preceded with an executive endorsement of all the legislative actions which culminated in the presentation of the appointment letter on Friday.
Gov had given the five Emirs who became automatically deposed by the action of the government of Kano State a 48-hour ultimatum to hand over the State’s Commissioner of Local Government Affairs.
However, a Federal High Court, sitting in Kano had ordered that the process be put on hold pending the determination of a fundamental human rights action filed by Alh Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate.
Justice Mohammed Liman who issued the order also slated 3rd of June, 2024 for the hearing of the matter.
But it appears that the political actors in Kano State are either not in the know, not been served or would have none of that as they have gone with presenting Sanusi with a letter of appointment, reinstating him as the Emir of Kano.
Gov Yusuf said, “By the powers conferred on me by the Kano Emirate Council Law of 1984 and 2024, and supported by the recommendation of the kingmakers, I have the singular pleasure to confirm the reappointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and the head of the Kano Emirate Council.”
Sanusi’s reinstatement took place at the Government House in Kano, four years after he was deposed by the immediate past governor of the state Abdullahi Ganduje.
At the event, the governor reechoed the Emir’s role and urged him to lead according to Islamic tenets of Islam.
“As the Emir is being appointed for the second time, it is based on his competence, credibility, and popularity,” he said.
“I urge him to be guided by the principles of Islamic teachings and to use his position to unite the emirate, fostering harmony among the Islamic sects in the state.”
Traditional rulers, kingmakers, and other top dignitaries were in attendance at the event which came barely one day after Governor Yusuf signed the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law.
The new law replaces the Kano State Emirates Council Law, 2019, and dissolves the emirate councils created by Ganduje.
That law was used by Ganduje to split the Kano Emirate into five in December 2019 and deposed Sanusi II, on March 9, 2020.
The emirates created by the Ganduje administration were Karaye, Bichi, Rano, and Gaya, in addition to Kano.
Emir Sanusi II, had ascended the throne during the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration after being ousted from office as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Protesters Storm Abuja
While Kano was busy enthroning Emir Sanusi II for the second time, massive protests erupted in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja against his return to office.
The peaceful protesters marched with banners to register disagreement with and express concerns about the situation in Kano.
According to the protesters, it would require the intervention of President Bola Tinubu to resolve the crisis and ensure the restoration of peace and stability in the state.
Biztellers reports that Gov Yusuf’s swift action against the five Emirates Council and reinstatement of Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano has the backing of the state’s legislature.
The Kano State House of Assembly had presented him with the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 Bill on Thursday, which the governor signed into law.
The protesters came out under the auspices of the Concerned Patriots of Nigeria, accusing Gov Yusuf taking abuse of office to another level by dissolving the traditional council.
Coordinator, Concerned Patriots of Nigeria, Abdullahi Muhammed Saleh, said, “A lot had been going wrong in the state but the Concerned Patriots of Nigeria had thought it best to allow Kano State to sort out its thorny issues.
“However, Thursday’s brash actions of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, who sacked five emirs to reappoint Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi as the 14th Emir of Kano has awoken us to the urgency of raising the alarm about the destructive excesses of the state governor.
“Since being sworn into office, Governor Abba Yusuf has a string of loutish acts that run like a hardened criminal’s rap sheet. All in the name of rubbishing his predecessor, he started with a demolition spree that has served to impoverish the people whose lives he took an oath to improve. Thus he proved himself to be anti-people.
“The Governor then attempted to destroy the structures of political parties in the state. The impish fanaticism with which he pursued this illicit mission saw him intruding into the structure of other political parties, including hiring some charlatans who purportedly suspended the national chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, who is interestingly his predecessor. Thus, he proved himself to be anti-democratic.
“This latest 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 humiliation meted out to the five emirs was most unbecoming and we have cause to believe that Abba Yusuf has set the stage for using the traditional institution as ancient and as esteemed as that of Kano for a political seesaw will continue since his successor will revert to the five emirates. The Kano governor has thus proven himself to be the anti-traditional institution leader.”
The apparently worried protesters added, “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.
“We also condemn the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) – dominated Kano State House of Assembly that they have cemented their place as a conclave of shame to have reverted into a mere rubber stamp for the megalomanic tantrums of the state governor.
“They, alongside Governor Yusuf, have taken their desperation to an extent that could set the ancient city on fire and cause breaches in the land. We are here today to appeal to President Tinubu to intervene in the Kano Emirate crisis.
“The situation would deteriorate by the day, and we need the President’s urgent attention to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
“We believe that President Tinubu’s intervention is crucial at this critical moment. We are counting on his leadership to find a lasting solution to the crisis and ensure peace returns to Kano State.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government over what he described as a sluggish response to the renewed wave of xenophobic violence targeting Nigerians in South Africa.
Atiku, in a statement released on Sunday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said it was disappointing that Nigeria failed to act swiftly despite repeated attacks on its citizens living in South Africa.
SEE ALSO: FG Blasts South Africa Over Attacks on Nigerians, Summons Diplomat
The former presidential candidate stated that smaller African countries had already taken decisive steps to protect their nationals, while Nigeria appeared slow in responding to the growing tension.
According to him, Ghana had approved the evacuation of more than 300 of its citizens affected by the latest anti-immigrant threats, while the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu only reacted after mounting pressure.
“It is deeply troubling that Nigeria, a country that prides itself as the giant of Africa, once again found itself reacting instead of leading in a moment of continental crisis,” Atiku said.
He argued that the delayed response raised serious concerns about the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad.
The former vice president noted that Nigerians in South Africa had for years endured intimidation, harassment, looting and repeated xenophobic attacks, with several businesses destroyed and lives threatened during previous outbreaks.
Atiku stressed that the protection of citizens remains one of the primary responsibilities of any government, regardless of where those citizens reside.
He urged the Federal Government to issue stronger travel advisories, begin evacuation plans for willing Nigerians and intensify diplomatic engagement with South African authorities.
The former vice president also called on the African Union to take stronger action against recurring xenophobic violence across the continent.
“Africa cannot continue to preach unity while tolerating periodic persecution of fellow Africans,” he added.
He further urged Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to act with greater urgency whenever the safety and dignity of Nigerians overseas are under threat.
Panic swept through parts of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Friday after a fresh gas leak affected more than 100 students and teachers across several schools, forcing many victims to be rushed to hospitals for treatment.
The incident, which occurred less than two months after a similar case in the town, reportedly affected schools including Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende, and Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, among others.
Witnesses said students suddenly began complaining of breathing difficulties, stomach aches, dizziness, and weakness as the strange gas spread across the affected areas.
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Videos circulating online showed frightened students running out of school premises while teachers and residents assisted those who fainted into vehicles for emergency medical attention.
Many of the affected students were taken to the Ogun State Hospital in Ijebu Ode, while others were rushed to nearby private medical facilities as worried parents stormed the hospitals.
An eyewitness described the situation as more severe than the previous gas leak recorded in April.
“I am currently at the Ogun State Hospital, Ijebu Ode, and the hospital is overcrowded. Some parents had to move their children to private hospitals. The students are complaining of stomach pain and weakness. This incident affected multiple schools and over 100 students,” the source said.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed the development, stating that emergency response agencies had been mobilised to contain the situation and investigate the source of the leak.
According to the commissioner, air quality monitoring devices installed within the area detected elevated methane gas concentrations, with readings reportedly peaking at about 13,500 ppm in surrounding locations.
He explained that although the methane level remained below the lower explosive limit, the situation was environmentally significant and required urgent investigation.
Oresanya said the state government had activated a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team comprising environmental regulators, emergency responders, security agencies, and air quality experts to determine the source and extent of the emissions.
Officials, including the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, and the Managing Director of OGEPA, Kenny Bello, were also seen visiting affected schools and hospitals to assess the situation and monitor medical response efforts.
Residents were advised to remain calm, avoid open flames or ignition sources in areas with unusual gas odours, and immediately seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, or respiratory discomfort.
The latest incident comes weeks after over 30 students and a teacher were hospitalised following another gas leak at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in April, raising fresh concerns over environmental safety in the area.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government and Kaduna State authorities to release former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai before the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, describing his continued detention as unfair and politically troubling.
Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Friday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
SEE ALSO: Shock as Court Rejects El-Rufai’s Bail Application, Orders Continued Detention
The former presidential candidate condemned El-Rufai’s detention ahead of the Muslim festival, saying it contradicts the spirit of mercy, compassion, and reconciliation associated with Eid-el-Kabir.
According to Atiku, it would be wrong for any government to deny a citizen freedom without clear justification, especially during a significant religious period when families are expected to reunite.
He warned against the alleged use of state institutions to intimidate perceived political opponents, stressing that democracy should not be used as a weapon to settle political scores.
“At a time when millions of Muslims are preparing for Eid-el-Kabir, it is unconscionable to keep a citizen away from his family without just cause,” Atiku stated.
The former vice-president also argued that the credibility of any democratic government depends on how it treats opposition figures and perceived critics.
He urged authorities to ensure transparency if El-Rufai’s detention is connected to ongoing legal proceedings, insisting that every Nigerian citizen is entitled to constitutional rights, including liberty and due process.
The demand comes days after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission confirmed that a Federal High Court in Kaduna granted El-Rufai access to medical treatment while in custody.
El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Joel Adoga, are facing a 10-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering, and possession of proceeds of crime before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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