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.”
The Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Dr Jean Kaseya, has explained why Ebola outbreaks continue to occur in Africa, citing the need for stronger health systems and surveillance mechanisms to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases.
Kaseya spoke during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, October 22, while discussing recurring Ebola outbreaks on the continent and the challenges facing public health authorities.
SEE ALSO: JUST IN: Over 3,000 Dead as Ebola Outbreak Ravages DR Congo
He explained that some outbreaks originate from animals and spread to humans through contact with the environment, stressing that effective surveillance and stronger healthcare systems were necessary to address the threat.
“We are in Africa in a specific environment. And as you are saying, this outbreak is coming also from animals to humans. It means we are in contact with our environment,” he said.
“But we can avoid that if we have a strong health system in place, if we have strong surveillance mechanisms in place. And this is what we are working to address.”
The Africa CDC chief also announced plans to convene African health ministers on October 28 to discuss the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak, which he described as the most geographically widespread outbreak of its kind.
According to Kaseya, three African regions—West, Central and East Africa—have been affected, making coordinated action among countries increasingly important.
“This is why I’m calling even a meeting on the 28th of October of all African ministers, because we see now this outbreak — this Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak — is the most geographically extended outbreak, with three regions in Africa already affected: West, Central and Eastern African regions,” he said.
He also expressed confidence in Africa’s preparedness to respond to public health emergencies, while emphasising the importance of strengthening existing systems to contain outbreaks.
Africa CDC Seeks Cooperation Over Nigeria’s Reported Ebola Case
Kaseya further called for cooperation among Nigeria, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to clarify the travel history of a woman linked to Nigeria’s reported Ebola case.
He said he had been communicating with health authorities in the three countries to establish the woman’s movements before she returned to Abuja on October 3.
According to him, the woman was born in Uganda and had spent some time there before returning to Nigeria. However, further information was needed to establish whether she had travelled through the DRC or had contact with anyone arriving from the country.
“We are talking to all authorities—with Nigerian authorities, with Ugandan authorities, even to DRC authorities,” Kaseya said.
He urged the woman to provide the relevant information to health officials, noting that it would help authorities determine the circumstances surrounding the case and support the countries involved.
“What we want is collaboration from this person, the lady. She has to tell us, to disclose to the authorities. I need this information, as Nigeria needs this information, because we need also to support Uganda,” he said.
Kaseya added that establishing the woman’s travel history and possible contacts would help prevent misunderstandings between the African countries.
“I think these are the pieces of information we are looking for, and it will help all of us, and it will avoid crisis between African countries,” he added.
A truck carrying grains fell on its side after crashing into a road median at Itowolo, along the Ikorodu axis of Lagos State, early Thursday, occupying the entire Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane.
The incident occurred at about 5 a.m. along the route inward Agric and towards Ogolonto, according to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), which disclosed the development on Thursday.
SEE ALSO: Lagos: LASTMA Announces Traffic Restrictions Along Route to Toll Gate
The agency identified the vehicle as a white 10-tyre mini truck and confirmed that no casualties were recorded in the accident.
LASTMA said its officers were at the scene managing the situation, while recovery of the fallen vehicle was expected to commence shortly.
Despite the truck occupying the entire BRT lane, the agency said the incident was not affecting traffic flow at the time of its update.
The authority shared the information to alert motorists to the incident and its ongoing response at the scene.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, has urged the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) to transform its skills acquisition centre in Abeokuta into an industrial hub to promote job creation, entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment.
According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babas eyi, on Thursday, Ojajuni made the call on Monday when he led members of the Ogun State Police Command’s Management Team on an inspection visit to the POWA Skills Acquisition Centre at the Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.
SEE ALSO: Wife Dies in Ogun House Fire as Police Take 56-Year-Old Husband Into Custody
During the visit, the POWA Acting Chairperson, Bolanle Adeoye, and members of the association’s executive received the commissioner and conducted him around the facility, including its photography and make-up studios.
The centre is designed to equip POWA members and members of the public with practical vocational skills, promote entrepreneurship and create sustainable livelihood opportunities, particularly for women and young people.
Ojajuni charged POWA to leverage partnerships with government agencies, private sector organisations, manufacturers, vocational institutions and development partners to transform the facility into a thriving industrial hub.
He emphasised that the centre’s vision should go beyond skills acquisition to include enterprise development, productive ventures and employment generation.
According to the statement, the commissioner stressed the need for the initiative to create opportunities for beneficiaries to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
Ojajuni also highlighted the relationship between economic empowerment and crime prevention, noting that sustainable livelihoods could help address socio-economic factors associated with criminal activity.
He stressed that the centre could contribute to public safety through crime-prevention awareness, constructive community engagement and opportunities that encourage women and young people to pursue legitimate and productive ventures.
Commending Adeoye and the POWA Ogun State executive for their commitment to human capital development, the commissioner pledged the command’s support for the centre.
He reaffirmed the command’s readiness to encourage strategic collaboration and partnerships that would advance the facility’s development, expand its reach and strengthen its contribution to empowerment and community safety.
The Ogun State Police Command reiterated its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote productive engagement, strengthen community resilience and advance public safety across the state.
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