FROM MUSA DISO, KANO
The Kano State Government has sued for peace and understanding among the contending families in the lingering tussle over the emirship of the ancient town of Kano
The call followed last week’s appeal court ruling, which affirmed the former deposed Emir, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the authentic Emir of Kano
This is even as his successor Aminu Ado Bayero has rejected the appeal court ruling and headed to the supreme Court to challenge it
Kano state. government urged all relevant authorities, institutions, and individuals to comply fully with the recent court of appeal judgment that resolved the long-standing dispute over the Emirate Council reforms.
The call was made during a press conference held at the NUJ Press Centre in Kano at the weekend, where a delegation of top government officials—including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Ibrahim Adamu; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Musa Bello; and the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Halima Yusuf, emphasised the need for strict adherence to the ruling.
Recall that the court of appeal, Abuja Division, had last week, overturned an earlier ruling by the lower court, and affirmed the legality of the Kano State Government’s actions in returning Emir Sanusi to the thrown, which he had earlier occupied before he was de throwned by the former governor, Abdulahi Ganduje, as well as the restructuring of the state’s traditional institutions.
“All decisions, pronouncements, and orders made by the Federal High Court in this matter have been quashed and set aside,” said Hon. Ibrahim Adamu. “The appellate court has upheld the law enacted by the Kano State House of Assembly and fully legalized all actions taken by the governor pursuant to that law.”
The government stressed that the judgment not only validates its reforms but also sets a precedent for respecting constitutional boundaries in chieftaincy affairs, adding that it further reaffirmed its commitment to fostering unity and development in Kano, emphasizing the importance of cooperation among all parties involved as it would continue to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the ancient Kano Emirate council
“We call on all relevant authorities and stakeholders to respect this judgment and act accordingly,” Hon. Musa Bello stated. “It is essential to give full effect to the ruling to maintain peace, harmony, and the rule of law in our beloved state
“This is a victory for justice and fairness,” Hon. Halima Yusuf added. “We urge everyone to work with the government to ensure that the reforms achieve their intended goals of equitable representation and inclusive governance across all emirates.”
“This judgment marks a turning point in our efforts to harmonize tradition and progress,” the commissioners jointly stated. “Let us all prioritize the collective good of Kano State and move forward in unity.”
“As the dust settles, the Kano State Government has reaffirmed its call for peace and respect for the rule of law, urging all parties to embrace the judgment and contribute to the state’s stability and growth.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero has rejected the judgement of the Appeal Court which nullified a Federal High Court order that removed Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
Bayero, who spoke to newsmen on Sunday, through one of his supporters and Kano kingmakers, Aminu Baba Danahunfi, said insisted that he would head to the Supreme Court to challenge the appeal court verdict
.
Aminu Babba Danagundi, a kingmaker loyal to Bayero said the crisis rocking the emirate has just started.
Danagundi, who had filed a suit to challenge the reinstatement of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi as Emir of Kano, said this at the Nassarawa Mini palace
The Nasarawa Palace of the 15th Emir Of Kano, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, Aminu Babba DanAgundi, who filed the suit that was struck out by the Appeal Court, said, “Sanusi did not even understand that he has completely lost out in the whole of the cases at hand.
“That is why I expressed regrets over remarks by the 16th Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, using the Mosque pillar to propagate something that was not true and did not happen at the Appeal Court.
“We initially went to Federal High Court seeking the nullification of the repeal law by the State Assembly, which we felt was done haphazardly.”
“The position of Muhammadu Sanusi II that he emerged victorious was wrong, the court said that the Federal High Court has no legal right to hear issues with regards to chieftaincy affairs. But what we went to court for was different.
“We were not arguing on the powers of State Assembly to enact of repeal laws, what we were asking was lack of fair hearing on the 15th Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, that he was removed without given him chance to protect himself.
“The State Assembly didn’t follow the right procedures in repealing the laws,” he added.
He asked the Police and the DSS to stop Sanusi from moving around with thugs, accusing the Emir of plotting to disrupt peace in Kano, insisting that Sanusi will not claim victory until the Supreme Court judgement has been given.
“The Attorney General and Speaker of the Kano State Assembly went to court seeking to stop Bayero from parading himself as Emir, but the Appeal Court rejected that position and said that Bayero was not given fair hearing