The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has ordered the immediate arrest of the former Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero.
The governor had sacked Ado Bayero alongside other Emirs appointed by his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje. He gave them 48 hours to vacate their palaces and hand them over to the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
He subsequently announced the reinstatement of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, whom Ganduje deposed in 2020, and presented a reappointment letter to Sanusi on Friday at an event held at the government house in Kano.
According to Daily Trust, the other Emirs—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.
However, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero returned to Kano on Saturday.
His aircraft landed at the Aminu Kano International Airport at 4:30 a.m., where supporters immediately greeted him by chanting a verse from Surah Al-Fatihah in the Holy Quran.
They chanted, “You (alone) we worship, and you (alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).”
While some others were saying, “God the Almighty will kill your enemies.”
He later observed Subhi (dawn prayer) at the airport before proceeding to the mini-palace in Nassarawa.
Reacting to Ado Bayero’s actions, Yusuf ordered his immediate arrest, accusing him of creating tension in the state.
Yusuf, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, claimed that Ado Bayero was smuggled into Kano in an attempt to return to the palace two days after his deposition forcefully.
It was observed that a team of soldiers moved into his palace at Nasarawa, where the 15th Emir is located, following the governor’s order.
Although security operatives accompanied Ado Bayero from the airport to the mini-palace, the reason for the additional troop deployment remains unclear.
The Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, accused the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, of facilitating the return of the dethroned Emir.
Gwarzo made the accusation in a short video interview on Saturday at the Emir’s palace in Gidan Rumfa.
He alleged that the NSA released two jets to bring Ado Bayero to Kano.
He said, “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.”
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