Minister tackles Kano govt over calls to relocate Emir Bayero from the state

From Desmond Mgboh, Kano

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Ata has condemned a statement by the Kano State Government calling on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to relocate the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, from his Nassarawa palace in the state.

The Minister’s condemnation was sequel to an earlier comment by the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdulsalam, who had alleged that certain individuals were exploiting the Emir’s continued presence in the palace to fuel unrest across the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Minister’s aide, Seyi Olorunsola, he described the state government’s call as “unguarded and irresponsible”, insisting that it had exposed their failure to grasp the basic principles of governance, federalism and democratic engagement.

“It must be emphasized that the Emirship matter is a subject of litigation and, as such, subjudice of the court process to comment on it” the Minister stated

He regretted that, “Despite the legal processes in place, the Kano State Government and its agents persist in making incendiary and contemptuous statements” while adding these unfair comments were intended to exert undue pressure on the judiciary and undermine the rule of law.

“This pattern of conduct amounts to sheer political rascality and a complete lack of respect for democratic norms and due process” he stated.

“It is crucial to remind Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and his administration that the Presidency is not an extension of their local political theater” he declared.

“The Office of the President must be accorded the highest level of respect, and no government, no matter how misguided or emboldened by lawlessness, has the right to dictate terms to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces” the Minister stated.

“If the Kano State Government believes it has a legitimate claim, it must channel its grievances through proper legal and constitutional processes rather than resort to incendiary rhetoric and public grandstanding” he added.

The Minister urged the state Government to withdraw their statement within the next 72 hours and issue a formal apology to President Tinubu or be ready to face a likely litigation from some critical APC stakeholders in the state.