ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of undermining the peace and security in Kano State through the deployment of soldiers in the ongoing tussle over the throne of the ancient city.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also emphasized that such actions undermine the integrity of the Nigerian military and violate the 1999 Constitution.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, highlighted that the federal government’s decision to deploy soldiers in Kano is an upset to the state’s peace and security.
“The deployment of soldiers in extra-constitutional matters such as this undermines the integrity of the Nigerian military,” the statement read.
Atiku pointed out that the Kano State House of Assembly (KSHA) had lawfully passed the amended Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024, and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had signed it into law.
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This law however, repealed the 2019 version, which had divided the ancient Kano Emirate into five parts.
“The foregoing circumstances happened within the confines of the law and in compliance with the powers conferred on the Governor as provided by Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“In consultation with the Kingmakers of Kano, the Governor reappointed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (Muhammadu Sanusi II) as the 16th Emir of Kano State and accordingly handed him a letter of appointment”, Atiku stated.
Atiku expressed surprise that in the early hours of the day, the former Emir of Kano, His Majesty Aminu Ado Bayero, backed by federal forces, entered the Nasarawa Palace of the Kano Emirate while the reappointed Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II, was at the Gidan Dabo, the main residence of the Emir of Kano.
“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,” Atiku remarked.
Atiku warned president Tinubu administration against destabilizing the peace in Kano, a state known for its harmony for thousands of years.
He also cautioned that any attempt to disrupt the state’s peace would be resisted.
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“Recall that Muhammadu Sanusi II was dethroned on 9th March 2020, yet 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”, Atiku noted.
Atiku concluded by asserting that the Federal Government of Nigeria’s provision of security cover to former Emir Aminu Ado Bayero to return to Kano is “an invitation to anarchy.”