Atiku to FG: Soldiers’ deployment to Kano unconstitutional

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the deployment of soldiers to Kano State in the tussle over the throne of the ancient city as an upset to the peace and security of the state.

Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, also described the soldiers’ deployment by the federal government as a breach of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He added that Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf adhered to the law and constitution to repeal the Emirates Council Law which annulled the five Emirates created by his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje, in 2019.

Speaking via a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, on Saturday, May 25, 2024, Atiku said: “The situations happened within the confines of the law and in compliance with the powers conferred on the Governor as provided by Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended; and also in consultation with the Kingmakers of Kano, reappointed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano State and accordingly handed him a letter of appointment.

“It is surprising that in the early hours of today, exactly at about 5:30 a.m. the former Emir of Kano, His Majesty Aminu Ado Bayero backed by Federal might made their way into the Nasarawa Palace of the Kano Emirate while the reappointed Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II was at the Gidan Dabo, which is the main residence of the Emir of Kano.

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“In this wise, the former Emir could not have made his way into the Nasarawa Palace without the support of the Federal Government having done so with the support of the Army and other security personnel in his company.

“The deployment of soldiers in extra-constitutional matters such as this undermines the integrity of the Nigerian military.

“We need to remind the Tinubu administration that Kano State is known for peace and harmony spanning thousands of years and any attempt to destablise the peace of the Land of Commerce shall be resisted.  Recall that Muhammadu Sanusi II was dethroned on 9th March 2020 dethroned, Kano forged on in peace without any fracas.

“We wish to state unequivocally that if for any reason, law and order breaks down in Kano State, particularly Kano Municipal, the Federal Government should be held responsible as the act of providing security cover to the former Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero to come back to Kano is an invitation to anarchy.

“The Federal Government does not have the jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of any State in Nigeria in the spirit of true federalism as enshrined in Section 2(1) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the dichotomy provided by the Exclusive and Residual List therein respectively.”

The Kano State Government had, on Thursday, repealed the Emirates Council Law which annulled the five Emirates created by Ganduje in 2019.

The state government, thereafter, merged the five Emirates into one and reinstated Sanusi as the new Emir of Kano.

Sanusi was removed in March 2020 by Ganduje who cited insubordination for his action.

The Star