 says established principles were followed in restoring Mohammed Sanusi II as Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi 11.){kind=link}
By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) says established principles were followed in restoring Mohammed Sanusi II as Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi 11.
NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja condemned the deployment of soldiers and other security agents to prevent the process.
“Nigerians are surprised since early Saturday morning to see the deployment of soldiers and other security agents around the vicinity of the Emir of Kano’s Palace, in what seems like plan to overturn the Constitutionally backed restructuring and restoration of the lost glory of the Kano State Emirate Council.
“This is a process which went through the whole gamut of law amendment processes.
“The drafters of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, in their wisdom have given the different tiers of Government in the country (Federal, State, and Local Government) different spheres of responsibilities and the administration of Local Governments and Chieftaincy matters exclusively to the States.
“The Kano State Legislature vested with the powers to repeal, amend or enact laws having duly followed established principles repealed the Kano Emirate Law (2019), which removed the 14th Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi 11, and restored him to office.
“How did this warrant the deployment of soldiers and other security agents to Kano State to reverse a law duly passed by the State legislature,” he said.
Johnson faulted the alleged attempt to return the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, to Kano through the might of the Federal Government, describing it as threat to peace and harmony of the state.
He said that the party’s position followed claims by Kano Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, that the former Emir was brought to Kano on Friday surrounded by soldiers through the office of a highly placed government official from Abuja.
He advised desperate politicians to desist from testing the resolve of Kano electorates who freely and overwhelmingly gave their mandate to Yusuf as the governor of Kano State.
Johnson appealed to elders in the country, leaders of thought, and Nigerians in general as well as the international community to urged on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call to order those with ambition to cause confusion in the North to realise their selfish ambition.
“Since those affected have approached the Court of law for redress, they should allow the process to complete its cycle instead of resorting to arm – twisting the governor of Kano State,” he said.
Johnson said that the deployment of security agencies was to coerce the government of Kano State from performing its constitutionally donated duties.
This according to him is a gross violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a fundamental breach of the hallowed principles of Separation of Powers as enunciated in the 1999 Construction of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and must be vehemently resisted by all lovers of our democracy.
Nohnson added that the on-going scenario in Kano where soldiers were deployed to upturn a properly enacted law by the state legislature and state police commissioner would refuse an instruction by a sitting governor portend grave danger to Nigeria democracy.
“The refusal of the state commissioner of Police to carry out the order of Yusuf to arrest the deposed emir for attempting to cause violence and public disorder through his conduct was disrespecting to the governor as the chief security officer in the State.
“The position of the commissioner of Police Kano State on the ex-parte order is amusing! How often have our good friends obeyed court orders?
“Now they want to “obey” an order (if it was indeed granted), that was granted after the act was completed.
“We all know that “you cannot restrain a completed act” since the government action had taken place long before the controversial court’s pronouncement.
“It should be noted that when Muhammadu Sanusi 11 was deposed, he did not resort to any act that could lead to violence and destabilize the State, instead he abided by the law. Nigerians expected the same from the now deposed emir,” he said.