In a surprising turn of events, the Kano State Government has insisted that a recent court ruling has validated the deposition of five emirs and the abolishment of the Kano Emirate Council Law 2024.
According to the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi, the Federal High Court’s ruling has “unequivocally reaffirmed the validity of the law passed by the Kano State House of Assembly and assented to by the Executive Governor.”
Dederi stated that the court’s decision means the abolishing of the five emirates created in 2019 and the deposition of the emirs, including the Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, are all sustained.
This contradicts earlier reports that the court had invalidated the Kano government’s actions and directed all parties to maintain the status quo.
The state government has now directed the police to remove Bayero from the Nasarawa palace, as it plans to demolish and reconstruct the dilapidated wall fence as part of a larger renovation project.
Dederi expressed confidence in the government’s position, saying, “I want to congratulate and call on the good people of Kano State to remain peaceful and celebrate the success of the people without any hitch.”
However, the legal tussle over the Kano emirate is far from over, as the court has also granted the government’s application for a stay of proceedings until the Court of Appeal rules on the issue of jurisdiction.
The Kano State Government’s insistence on the validity of its actions, despite the court’s earlier ruling, has raised eyebrows and sparked concerns about the rule of law in the state. As the saga continues, the people of Kano await a final resolution to the long-standing emirate dispute.
The public reaction in Kano to the court’s decision on the emirate tussle has been mixed. Kano city remained calm after the Federal High Court judgment that nullified Emir Muhammad Sanusi’s reinstatement. Residents were seen going about their normal businesses, and there were no reports of violence or protests against the judgment.
Some residents expressed happiness over the court’s judgment, while others were indifferent, stating that people just want peace in the state at this time. One resident said “people are tired of this situation” and just want normalcy to return.
The “Kano state political landscape is presently unsettled at the moment, with many awaiting further legal clarification on the matter.” The confusion over the authenticity of the court of appeal’s judgment copy has raised questions about the transparency and reliability of the judicial process in handling election disputes.
The public reaction seems to be a mix of relief that the tussle may be nearing an end, happiness for some, and continued uncertainty and confusion over the legal proceedings and their implications for the state.
