Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says the federal government should be held responsible if there is a breakdown of law and order in Kano.

Abubakar was reacting to the tussle over the emirship in Kano.

Aminu Bayero was replaced as Emir of Kano by Muhammadu Sanusi on Friday.

Sanusi was deposed in 2020 after falling out with Abdullahi Ganduje, the governor of Kano at the time.

On Thursday, the Kano house of assembly repealed the 2019 law used to oust Sanusi and balkanise the emirate into five jurisdictions.

The new emirate law stipulated the sack of all the emirs in the jurisdictions and a restoration of the old order.

Only one Emir will now be overseeing all of Kano.

Abba Yusuf, the governor of Kano, had given the sacked monarchs 48 hours to vacate their palaces.

The emirs of Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya have complied with the directive.

Early Saturday morning, Bayero returned to the city and then moved into a palace in Nassarawa LGA of the state.

A squad of soldiers that had been protecting Bayero before he was dethroned rode with him from the airport to the palace.

The governor ordered Bayero’s arrest after the deposed monarch arrived in Kano to a hero’s welcome from a horde of his supporters.

Aminu Gwarzo, Kano deputy governor, had blamed Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), for allegedly facilitating the return of Bayero to the palace by providing him with two private jets — but the NSA denied the claim.

Commenting on the development in a statement issued by Paul Ibe, his media adviser, Abubakar alleged that the deposed Emir could not have returned to Kano without the backing of the federal government.

“It is surprising that Bayero backed by federal might, made his way into the Nasarawa Palace of the Kano Emirate while the reappointed Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II, was at the Gidan Dabo, which is the main residence of the Emir of Kano,” the statement reads.

“In this wise, the former Emir could not have made his way into the Nasarawa Palace without the support of the Federal Government, having done so with the support of the Army and other security personnel in his company.

“The deployment of soldiers in extra-constitutional matters, such as this, undermines the integrity of the Nigerian military.

“We need to remind the Tinubu administration that Kano State is known for peace and harmony spanning thousands of years, and any attempt to destabilise the peace of the Land of Commerce shall be resisted.

“Recall that when Muhammadu Sanusi II was dethroned on 9th March 2020, Kano forged on in peace without any fracas.

“We wish to state unequivocally that if for any reason, law and order breaks down in Kano State, particularly Kano Municipal, the Federal Government should be held responsible, as the act of providing security cover to the former Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero to come back to Kano is an invitation to anarchy.”

Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), has denied facilitating the return of Aminu Bayero, the dethroned Emir of Kano, to the state. 

Early Saturday morning, Bayero returned to the city and then moved into a palace in Nassarawa LGA of the state.

A squad of soldiers that had been protecting Bayero before he was dethroned rode with him from the airport to the palace.

Abba Yusuf, the Kano governor, ordered the arrest after the deposed monarch arrived in Kano to a hero’s welcome from a horde of his supporters.

Subsequently, Aminu Gwarzo, Kano deputy governor, blamed the national security adviser for allegedly facilitating the return of Bayero to the palace by providing him with two private jets.

“The national security adviser gave two jets to bring the dethroned emir to Kano and to bring him to the place. We have not understood their intention,” Gwarzo said.

However, in a statement, Zakari Mijinyawa, spokesperson for the NSA office, said the claim is “untrue”.

“I read the comments on social media, it is untrue. The NSA did not provide air transport to anyone to Kano,” the statement reads.

“Political actors should desist from misinforming the public as law enforcement officials in the state strive to maintain peace and order.”

Bayero was replaced as Emir by Muhammadu Sanusi on Friday.

President Bola Tinubu, on Saturday, departed Abuja for Lagos to begin the commissioning of projects completed under his administration.

Lagos is the president’s first point of call as other projects commissioning will take him to other parts of the country during the week – beginning Sunday (tomorrow) till Friday.

This is to mark the first anniversary of his administration on Wednesday, May 29.

A State House press statement titled, “President Tinubu Set To Inaugurate Projects To Mark One Year In Office,” and signed by the Special Adviser Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga revealed this.

“In Lagos on Sunday, the President will inaugurate the concrete-paved road to the nation’s major ports in Apapa and Tin Can Island. The reconstructed road which began under the Muhammadu Buhari Administration was financed by the Dangote Group, using its tax credits.

“On the same day, President Tinubu will formally inaugurate, by virtual means, the refurbished Third Mainland Bridge, which has drawn public acclaim for its excellent finishing and aesthetic furnishing.

“He will also commission, virtually, the rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges across the country.

“The high point of the President’s engagements on Sunday will be the inauguration of the iconic Lagos-Calabar Superhighway, estimated to cost about N15 trillion,” it read.

The statement noted that work has begun on the legacy project that will connect nine coastal states, with Section Two already awarded to Hitech Construction Limited.

It further noted that Tinubu will return to Abuja on Tuesday to continue the commissioning spree.

“President Tinubu will return to Abuja on Tuesday to begin another round of commissioning. He will first inaugurate the Southern Parkway, which the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration named after him.

“On Wednesday, the President will attend the National Assembly Dialogue Series, after which he will unveil the National Assembly Library Complex, named after him,” it added.

Commissioning of the Abuja Metro (Abuja Light Rail) project will also take place on the same day.

“President Tinubu will leave the National Assembly to relaunch the commercialisation of Abuja Light Rail, also known as Abuja Metro. He will symbolically join a train ride to the city centre.

“The Abuja Metro was completed in 2018 by the Buhari Administration. It was put into commercial use up till 2020. But with the onset of COVID-19, the train service was abandoned. Vandals descended on the facility, putting it out of use.

“FCT Minister Wike, after spending $15 million and building access roads to the various stations, has refurbished it for commercial service.

“After the train ride, President Tinubu will also inaugurate the Wuye Flyover-Link Bridge and the Defence Intelligence Agency Headquarters,” the statement read.

The last item will be the commissioning of a gas centre in Utako.

“On Friday, May 31, President Tinubu will commission the NASENI-Portland Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) Reverse Engineering Centre at Utako,” it concluded.