30th May, 2024
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Thursday visited the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu amidst the ongoing tussle over the throne of the Emir of Kano.
“I had a fruitful engagement with the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, this afternoon in Abuja. – AKY,” the Governor said on his X handle without giving further details of the purpose of the meeting with the NSA.
But the meeting came amidst tension over the dissolution of five emirates his administration inherited from its predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje, and the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi ll as the Emir of Kano after signing new Emirate law into law in the state.
The amended law dissolved the five Emirate Councils and removed the emirs appointed by former governor Ganduje in 2019, paving the way for the re-enthronement of Sanusi.
However, the deposed Emir Aminu Bayero who was out of the state had returned hours after the reinstatement of Sanusi and insisted that he would not vacate the throne.
Amid the tension, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Malam Aminu Gwarzo had in a brief video interview at the Emir’s palace in Gidan Rumfa last Saturday had tried to link Ribadu to the Emirship tussle by accusing him of arranging the return of the deposed Bayero, to Kano.
“The National Security Adviser provided two jets to bring the dethroned emir to Kano and to take him to the palace. We have not understood their intention,” Gwarzo said.
However, NSA described the claim by the deputy governor as false with a threat that he will sue him for defamation. The NSA, in a letter by his lawyers, Aliyu & Musa Chambers last Saturday demanded an apology from Gwarzo over the accusation.
The lawyers emphasised that while Ribadu had never been accused of any wrongdoing, he had been inundated with “a barrage of telephone calls both within and outside Nigeria” over the “false accusation.”
Two day later, Gwarzo withdrew the allegation against the NSA and apologised to him while addressing newsmen at the Government House in Kano.
The deputy governor claimed that he was misled into making the allegation and expressed regrets for any embarrassment or inconvenience caused the NSA and his office.
”We were shocked to hear the NSA’s name mentioned in the plot to impose a deposed Emir in Kano, knowing his integrity and pedigree.
“We are human and can err at any time,” the deputy governor said.
“On behalf of myself and the Governor of Kano State, I assure the NSA of our continued support and cooperation in discharging his duties.”
The deputy governor called on President Bola Tinubu to conduct a thorough investigation into the happenings in Kano to ensure peace and stability in the state.