The power struggle in Kano’s Emirate Council has taken a dangerous turn as security agencies refused to arrest deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero on Saturday, despite an order from Governor Abba Yusuf.
Bayero returned to Kano early Saturday morning, just two days after being deposed by the governor. His arrival was met by a crowd of supporters chanting Quranic verses. In response, Yusuf ordered Bayero’s immediate arrest, accusing him of “creating tension in the state”.
However, Kano’s Commissioner of Police Mohammed Usain Gumel said the police would not carry out the arrest order. Gumel cited a court order restraining the state government from enforcing the new law that reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano.
“The Police Command is expressly obeying the Court Order with SUIT No. FHC/KN/CS/182/2024 Dated 23rd May, 2024 issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Kano alongside all Law Enforcement agents in the State,” Gumel stated.
The refusal to arrest Bayero has further inflamed tensions. Kano’s Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo accused the police of escorting Bayero back into the state and claimed the state government was doing everything to avoid bloodshed.
The crisis began when Yusuf signed an order repealing the Kano Emirates Council Law 2019, which had created five emirates and emirs. He then reinstated Sanusi, who had been deposed by the previous governor in 2020.
The state government gave the affected emirs, including Bayero, 48 hours to vacate their palaces. While the others complied, Bayero returned to Kano, prompting the governor’s arrest order.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has been accused of providing aircraft to facilitate Bayero’s return, but his office has denied the allegation.
With the police refusing to enforce the governor’s order and a court injunction in place, the crisis in Kano appears far from resolution. Observers fear the power struggle could lead to violence if not carefully managed by all parties involved
