Moses Ofodeme
Former governor of Kano state, Rabiu Kwankwaso has blamed President Muhammadu Buhari of issuing the order which led to the dethronement of the former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa released on Wednesday, March 11; Kwankwaso alleged that Buhari instructed officials of the state to depose the ex-monarch.
Sanusi was dethroned by the Kano executive council led by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje over allegations of insubordination on Monday.
He has since left the state for a village in Nasarawa while Aminu Ado Bayero; one of the sons of his predecessor, was installed as the new emir of Kano.
Kwankwaso, who appointed Sanusi as emir in 2014, revealed that president Buhari influenced the removal of the former Emir; despite making promises to the contrary.
He described Sanusi’s dethronement as a sad development; saying no responsible government would have taken such a step.
“Let me begin by saying today is a very sad day in Kano, Nigeria and by extension in the entire world; because His Highness the Emir of Kano (Sanusi) is a global person.
“What we have seen is very sad because there is no responsible government that is supposed to take the kind of step taken by Kano State Government by dethroning Emir Muhammad Sanusi II,”Kwankwaso said.
“You see leaders here in Kano State Government themselves are saying they were given the order to dethrone the Emir. He (President Muhammadu Buhari) is the one that gave them the order. Here in Kano as we see, Buhari destabilises where ever he puts his hands.”
Kwankwaso also said Sanusi should have been allowed to choose his place of relocation; rather than being forced somewhere.
Abubakar Mahmoud, the lawyer representing Sanusi, had said the ex monarch wanted to move to Lagos but was forced to Nasarawa.
But the Kano state attorney-general, on Wednesday, said the state government did not banish Sanusi to Nasarawa.
Sanusi’s lawyer had asked for the release of the former emir, saying his forced relocation to Nasarawa is illegal and unconstitutional.
Meanwhile, the presidency has denied that president Muhammadu Buhari was instrumental to the dethronement of Muhammadu Sanusi II from the position of Emir of Kano.
Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman, made the denial.
He said on Wednesday, March 11, that such insinuations as untrue; malicious; as well as politically motivated.
Shehu said: ”The President does not have a history of intervening in the affairs of any state in the country; unless the issue at hand is of national consequence.
”On such matters which impinge on national security; he has a duty of involvement as the law stipulates.”
According to Shehu, as outlined in the Constitution, the appointment or removal of emirs and other traditional leaders is strictly within the jurisdiction of state governments.
He, therefore, stated that it was unfair and disingenuous of opposition politicians to try to link the situation in Kano State to the federal government and the Nigerian President.
”Although a retired General and former Military Head of State, President Buhari clearly understands that under the current democratic dispensation; the government at the centre cannot read instructions; or twist the arms of all or any of the 36 state governments making up the federation.
”They all have their powers specified under the Constitution.”
Shehu, however, quoted the president to have commended the people of Kano for keeping calm in the past few days of the dethronement announcement.
”He prays that the will of Allah will be done at all times; and that the emirate/state and its people continue to experience progress irrespective of who is on the throne.”