The Kano State government on Friday issued a stern warning against interference from “power from above” into the traditional and political affairs of Kano.
The warning follows the heavy deployment of armed security personnel and armored tanks mounted at the entrance of the Kofar Kudu palace of the emir on Friday morning.
A similar deployment was witnessed at the palace of the Emir of Bichi, in Bichi Local Government Area of the state, a development that triggered tension and fear in the ancient city.
Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who was slated along with the entire emirate council to install the new emir of Bichi, Munir Sanusi, was restricted by the security deployment.
Bichi has been another hotbed in the emirship battle after the sack of Nasiru Ado Bayero from the district.
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Nasiru, along with his elder brother and the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, were removed by the Kano State government.
Secretary of the State Government, Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, in a statement condemned the interference, asserting that the government would not tolerate any intrusion into the kingdom’s affairs.
Bichi expressed surprise at the presence of security forces at the Emir’s house, stressing that there was no indication of violence that would warrant such a response.
“The actions of the security forces are unfounded,” Bichi stated. “And we will not accept the interference in the peaceful matters of our kingdom.”
He further claimed that certain individuals in Abuja were supporting those attempting to disrupt the peace in Kano, but the state government remains resolute in its stand.
Efforts to speak with the police on the development were unsuccessful, as the spokesman of the command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, did not respond to calls and text messages.
Apart from issues around the emirship, The Guardian learned that the security deployment was deliberate to prevent the stakeholders’ engagement on the tax reform bill scheduled at the palace.
The stakeholders’ meeting, which would be presided over by Sanusi, is expected to discuss issues around the controversial tax bill, where the state would form a position.
