Presidency Planning To Takeover Kano Over Emirate Crisis? Tinubu’s Aide Replies Kwankwaso

The Presidency, on Monday, denied claims made by the National Leader of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, regarding a purported plan to declare a state of emergency in Kano State....Read More

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, described these allegations as baseless and were dismissed as “mere rumours.”

The controversy arose after Kwankwaso, who was the NNPP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, accused the Federal Government of bias in the ongoing Kano Emirate tussle.

He alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government was plotting to undermine the democratically elected structures in Kano State by imposing a state of emergency.

But responding to these allegations, Onanuga while speaking to The Nation last night, insisted that there were no circumstances that would justify such an extreme measure as declaring a state of emergency in Kano State.

The Presidency said: “There is no truth in it. It is a mere rumour. The Federal Government cannot declare any state of emergency in any state without the involvement of the National Assembly. There is no such plan. It is a mere rumour.

“The National Assembly is in recess. No President can just wake up and declare a state of emergency in any state.” In the same vein, the Commissioner of Police in Kano, Ussain Gumel, denied allegations that his men were biased in the Emirate crisis.

The police chief, in a conversation with the platform, said the mandate of the Force is to protect lives and property.

He said it was their duty to protect both emirs, “which is what we are still doing.” Gumel said men and officers of the police and other security agencies have been neutral.

He added that the police received about five court orders on the emirate tussle.

The CP said: “The issue is before the federal and state courts. We are waiting for judgment.

“We received about five court orders and forwarded them to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. We are waiting for his response and directives.

“And while awaiting the outcome in court or directives from the AGF, we must protect the contending emirs.

“My appeal to the public is for them to exercise patience and calm while we await the outcome from the relevant authorities.”