On Friday, protesters gathered at the Presidential Villa and the National Assembly in Abuja, urging President Bola Tinubu to address the ongoing crisis in the Kano Emirate. The peaceful demonstration, organized under the banner of the Concerned Patriots of Nigeria, aimed to draw attention to the escalating tension in Kano following Governor Abba Yusuf’s recent actions.

The protesters carried banners and called for presidential intervention to restore peace and stability in Kano State. They specifically criticized Governor Yusuf for dissolving the five Emirates Council and reinstating Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano after signing the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law.

Abdullahi Muhammed Saleh, the coordinator of the Concerned Patriots of Nigeria, voiced the group’s concerns over Governor Yusuf’s actions, describing them as an abuse of office. Saleh highlighted that the group had hoped Kano State would resolve its issues independently, but recent developments necessitated their call for intervention.

“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,” Saleh said.

Saleh further criticized Governor Yusuf’s administration, accusing him of a series of harmful actions since taking office, including a demolition spree that has negatively impacted the lives of many Kano residents. He claimed these actions were part of an effort to undermine the legacy of Yusuf’s predecessor, ultimately proving to be detrimental to the people of Kano.

The protesters hope that President Tinubu’s intervention will lead to a resolution that preserves the integrity of Kano’s traditional institutions and ensures the welfare of its citizens.

“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.”

They 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.”