KANO, Nigeria – Supporters of the ousted Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, took to the streets on Sunday, demanding his reinstatement and urging Governor Abba Yusuf to comply with a recent court ruling. The city’s atmosphere remains tense as the reinstated Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II, received a warm welcome from the public at the main palace.
In a display of traditional grandeur, Sanusi rode a royal horse and acknowledged the enthusiastic crowd, who chanted, “You’re the only Emir we know.” He also held meetings with district heads, council members, vigilante groups, women’s organizations, and other well-wishers.
Simultaneously, a significant number of young protesters marched through Kano and Gaya, voicing their dissatisfaction with Bayero’s deposition. They carried placards with messages such as “Abba Kabir Yusuf, Obey Court Order” and “Aminu is still our Emir,” while peacefully demonstrating and lighting bonfires. The police maintained order without intervening in the protests.
The unrest was triggered by the Kano State House of Assembly’s recent repeal of the Kano Emirates Council Law, which had originally divided the Kano Emirate into five jurisdictions and led to Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II’s dethronement in 2019. Governor Yusuf signed the new law on Thursday, dissolving the additional emirates of Rano, Gaya, Karaye, and Bichi, and restoring the traditional Kano Emirate.
Following the repeal, Governor Yusuf instructed the monarchs of the dissolved emirates to hand over their responsibilities to the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, who manages the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero (Bichi), Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa (Rano), Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar II (Karaye), and Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir (Gaya) complied with the directive, vacating their palaces by midnight on Thursday.
However, Aminu Ado Bayero, who was absent during the event, returned to Kano on Saturday and relocated to a palace in the Nassarawa area. His return was marked by a procession accompanied by soldiers from the airport to the palace.
On Friday, Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court issued an order, filed by the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate, Aminu Agundi, stopping the Kano State Government from enforcing the new law that dethroned the five emirs. Despite this, the state government proceeded with Sanusi’s reinstatement, and Governor Yusuf threatened to report the judge to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, claiming the order was issued while he was abroad.
Angered by Bayero’s return to Nassarawa, Governor Yusuf ordered his arrest. However, the police stated they would uphold the court order. Mohammed Idiris, a protester near Gidan Nassarawa, voiced the crowd’s sentiments: “We support the return of Aminu Ado Bayero to his seat. He is the man of the people. We demand his immediate reinstatement.”
In Gaya, residents protested the dissolution of their emirate, condemning the government’s and state assembly’s actions. Protesters carried placards with anti-government slogans, alleging that the dissolution had political motivations.
Amidst the turmoil, the Arewa Social Contract Initiatives, a non-governmental organization, called for Bayero to leave the city to maintain peace and stability. The group, after an emergency meeting involving members from 19 northern states, suggested that Bayero’s sudden return could incite serious civil unrest in Kano.
As tensions continue to simmer, the situation in Kano remains volatile, with deep-seated political and social divisions coming to the fore. The outcome of this power struggle will likely have significant implications for the region’s stability and governance.