Don’t use judiciary to set Kano ablaze, NNPP says in ‘strong appeal’ to APC

*Accusing ruling party of using emirship as tool to cause trouble

By KEMI KASUMU

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has made what it calls a strong appeal urging eminent Nigerians to dissuade the All Progressives Congress (APC) from setting Kano State, and by extension, the entire Northern part of the country on fire through its alleged desperation to snatch the state away from the party.

This appeal was made in a statement by National Publicity Secretary of tge NNPP, Barrister Ladipo Johnson Esq, dated June 20, 2024 and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER.

According to the statement, “Ever since the NNPP trounced the APC in Kano State in the 2023 General election, the loser APC has been using every foul means to come to power in Kano despite the fact that the good people of Kano State rejected them at the polls.

“Their attempt to use the Courts to snatch victory was truncated by the 7 wise men at the Supreme Court who upheld the sanctity of the ballot boxes as expressed by the good people of Kano State.

“Ever since the great loss at the Supreme Court, the APC has never hidden their vow to make Kano State ungovernable for the rightful winner of the March 18, 2023 Governorship election, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf.”

Unfortunately, it said, “the recent amendment of The Kano State  Emirate Council law which passed normal rudiments of Constitutional provisions has become a tool for APC to want to set the State on fire, using a Section of the Judiciary.”

It said, “Nigerians would recall the position of the Kano State government on the issue leading to the dethronement of the former emir, Ado  Bayero and the reinstatement of Emir Muhammad Sanusi II.

“You’ll also recall the associated developments with particular reference to how the former emir was brought to  Kano with full military and police security and has since been stationed  in Kano looking after the deposed emir.

“We believe that this is an open demonstration of abuse of power and illegality. It is clearly an affront on the Constitution and a threat to peace and orderly public conduct because such open display of naked power is capable of inciting the people who may feel incensed by the actions of powers behind the charade going on in Kano as an act of gangsterism.

“Was it not a display of terror to lead the deposed emir to Kano with the military even after the State House of Assembly had passed a bill to the contrary and which Bill was assented to by the state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf and thus becoming a law?

“What was the justification for such insensitive and daring  decision that has now been widely condemned?

“Nigerians will not forget in a hurry the  action of the State Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, who in an abrasive manner, refused to carry out  the order of the Governor on the dethronement over the so-called rights of the former Emir in the guise of keeping to the rule of law.

“A similar disrespect to the Governor also manifested ahead of the recent Eid el Kabir when the Police commissioner, without consulting the State governor, imposed a ban on the durbar which is usually held during the Eid el Kabir in Kano as a tradition.

“The situation was so bad that the Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Isah Dederi, had to raise the alarm at a Press Conference saying :” I am compelled to ask the question: who is usurping the authority of the Commander-in-Chief?

“When  did the State Governor cease to be the Chief Security Officer of the State that he will only see such a ban on social media? Who is pushing the State Commissioner of Police to usurp the authority of the governor?”

“Although Emir Sanusi has been on the throne in the recognized palace since his reinstatement as the 16th Emir of Kano, the situation in the public eye is like a stalemate with the obvious understanding that  the deposed Emir Bayero is getting support and confidence from higher quarters. Otherwise, who is behind the heavy military and police presence at the smaller palace?

“A similar perpetration of absurdity is the interference of the Federal High court as per Hon Justice Liman, which, we believe, is designed towards a sinister end.

“We saw how, despite the obvious error, the Federal High Court in Kano assumed jurisdiction and granted an ex-parte order for the ex-Emir to challenge the alleged infringement of his fundamental rights, only to turn around and hear a motion to set aside a validly made Chieftaincy law of the State House of Assembly, claiming the rule of  law.

“This rather alarming behaviour especially after it had been brought to his Lordship’s notice that a validly entered Appeal at the Court of Appeal in the matter was in his Lordship’s file together with a motion for Stay of Proceedings! What is wrong with some of our Judges?

“Incredulously, Justice Liman proceeded with the matter and is poised to rule on the motion tomorrow Thursday, in a possible bid to illegally set aside the Chieftaincy law, and possibly, by what the appellate courts call judicial rascallity, potentially set the state ablaze!

“However, those who can read between the lines will understand that this decision was intended to frustrate the State Government on the exercise of its lawful duties. Of course  we know that the position of the court is contrary to established legal precedent. The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that a Chieftaincy matter, as this,  is not a fundamental rights matter.

“The associated issues above bothering on cruel abuse of power and illegality were what Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso spoke to in Madobi and his views remain relevant and convincing.

“Some power drunk elements are deliberately out to cause disorder and make Kano ungovernable for a selfish political objective. We are aware of this. So the call by APC State Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, for the arrest of Kwankwaso was irresponsible without addressing his concern that the invasion of Kano with full military in support of Ado Bayero, a deposed emir, was a greater threat to peace in Kano.

“Also Abba’s remark that Kwankwaso is leading a cult-like Kwankwasiyya is nothing new, he only re-echoed the same line of their Tribunal-lawyer and the similarity of thought is understandable. Of course,Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is a statesman and patriot.

“Nigerians should realise that the unfolding development in Kano is rooted in politics which is a dangerous thing to cultivate amidst the numerous challenges confronting the Federal Government particularly on the issue of security of lives and property.

“The suffocating economy, terrorism and  insurgency, kidnapping and the daily blood-letting by criminal gangs across the country, we believe, should be major concerns of the Federal Government rather than dabbling into chieftaincy matters in Kano as a political weapon ahead 2027.

“Now, the inference among the good people of Kano is that the situation is degenerating with the key objective to cause violence on a scale that would lead to the declaration  of a state of emergency in Kano, thereby paving the way to take over Kano. In which case they want to achieve what they failed to achieve through the the ballot box and the  Court.

“This  is the game plan but it would be disastrous for any desperate power monger in this respect because the good people of Kano will stoutly defend their mandate freely given to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who is doing them proud on account of his sterling stewardship.

“The truth is that losing Kano to the NNPP still rankles the new opposition in the state but the people’s will should be respected as a democratic enterprise.

“After celebrating 25 years of democracy, Nigerians expect that we won’t be contending with actions detrimental to peace and democratic ideals  reminiscent  of military dictatorship as we now see in Kano. The affront on the Constitution is at the heart of this matter and it is regrettable.

“We can only hope that reason will prevail,” the statement concluded.