The Kano State Government has tendered a public apology to the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, over allegation of involvement in the crisis that rocked the emirate council in the state.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that crisis broke out barely a day after the state governor, Abba Yusuf, 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 a title holder in the dissolved emirate, Aminu Dan’agundi, challenged the decision in a Federal High Court, presided by Justice A.M Liman.
Despite lacking in jurisdiction and the fact that he was outside the country, Mr Liman granted an ex-parte order restraining Kano State Government from enforcing the law.
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 the reinstated emir.
But the state deputy governor, Aminu Abdulsalam, while briefing journalists on the matter at the emir’s palace, alleged that Mr Bayero’s return to Kano was the handiwork of the NSA.
Mr Ribadu however denied involvement in the matter and demanded public apology from the deputy governor or face legal action.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday morning at the government house, Mr Abdulsalam apologized to Mr Ribadu, saying the government have been misled into believing that 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 stated they were shocked from the beginning when his name was mentioned in the plot to impose a deposed emir in Kano.
He stated that knowing the pedigree and antecedent, Mr Ribadu would never come out to deny it if he is 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 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 to see things taking another twist on Friday night”.
Mr 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 to be dragged into mud.
