From our correspondent, in Kano
The Kano state government has tendered a public apology to the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu over allegation of his involvement in the lingering crisis that rocked the emirate council in the state.
Crisis broke out barely a day after the state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf on Thursday signed Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment number 2) Bill, 2024 after it was passed by the state’s House of Assembly on Wednesday.
The law had dissolved all the five emirates created by former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi ll after reverting the institution to one single emirate.
But Sarkin Dawaki Babba, Aminu Dan’agundi, challenged the decision in Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Liman, which granted an ex-parte order restraining the Kano State Government from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Also, in the wee hours of Saturday, the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, was smuggled into the city and accommodated in the Nassarawa Emir Palace with an intent to move him to his former throne and oust Mr Sanusi.
But the Kano State Deputy Governor’s, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam, while briefing journalists on the matter at the emir palace when they escorted Mr Sanusi, alleged that Aminu Bayero’s return to Kano was the hand work of the NSA.
According to Abdulsalam, information at the government’s disposal revealed that the NSA hired two aircraft to smuggle Bayero into Kano with the intention of taking him back to his throne.
However, Ribadu denied involvement in the matter and demanded public apology by the deputy governor or drag him to court.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday morning at the government house, Abdulsalam apologized to Ribadu, saying the government has been misled into believing tht it was the NSA that caused the lingering crisis.
The deputy governor explained that he had to acknowledge that they have been misled into making that allegation saying “We apologize to the National Security Adviser, his person and office for any embarrassment and inconveniences this might have caused him”.
He said they were shocked from the begining when his name was mentioned in the plot to impose a deposed Emir in Kano.
He stated that knowing his pedigree and antecedent, Ribadu would never come out to deny it if he was actually involved.
“We are human and can err at any time. On my behalf and the Governor of Kano state, I want to assure the NSA that we are assuring him of our continued support and cooperation in discharging his duty as the NSA.
“We were really worried and shocked when we found out that he was not behind the plan to forcefully impose a dethroned Emir on Kano, so we apologize,” he added.
The deputy governor also expressed surprise on how the emirate tussle had taken a different dimension.
According to him, the was no violent reaction when the law was passed as Kano people were jubilating and everybody was going about lawful businesses.
“Only by Friday night, to see things taking another twist,” he said.
Abdulsalam expressed wonder why the issue of court order had become the main point of the crisis.
He disclosed that out of the eight respondents in the suit No: FHC/KN/CS/182/2024 dated 23rd May, 2024 issued by the Federal High Court, only one person, who is the Inspector of Police was served with the order.
He blamed certain powerful elements behind the crisis, calling on President Bola Tinubu to call those allegedly brewing crisis in the state to order.
The deputy governor said the government is not in any way intimidated by any forces, but according to him, there is need to allow peace to continue to reign in the state.
He noted that the matter had been politicized and the President should not allow himself be dragged into mud.
