Kano elders under the auspices of The Renaissance Coalition have uncovered plans by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to remove the emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

DAILY NIGERIAN reported that following the creation of four additional emirates in the state and reducing the powers and influence of the emir, Mr Sanusi withdrew appearance at state functions.

The state government, it was gathered, opted to fraternise with other emirs, particularly the Emir of Bichi, Aminu Bayero.

Insiders told this newspaper that a plan was hatched a couple of days ago to first “redeploy” Mr Sanusi to Bichi and install Mr Bayero as Emir of Kano.

“It’s clear Emir Sanusi will not accept transfer to serve as Emir of Bichi. So, the plan is that when Emir Sanusi rejects the decision, they will accuse him of insubordination and dethrone him,” a source familiar with the decision told DAILY NIGERIAN.

Another source however said the Presidency was alerted on the latest plot in order to compel the governor shelve the decision.

The Emir is currently away in New York, attending the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Kano Elders Kick

In a statement on Thursday by Ibrahim Waiya, the elders said the governor’s move was aimed at settling scores at the expense of peace and development of the state.

The statement read: “It has come to the notice of the Renaissance Coalition that Kano State Government has planned to swap the Emir of Kano Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II, CON to Bichi, and in the event he resists, he shall be deposed.

“This is quite unfortunate that despite a subsisting court ruling which has ordered the maintenance of status quo pending conclusion of the matter before it, and even the contentious law which was maliciously and hurriedly made, and has been under contention before the court, has not explicitly provided for such a swap.

“This is indeed a very dangerous move that is likely to cause violent unrest in the polity, and the alleged plot also shows extreme desperation on the part of the governor to advance a personal vendetta at the expense of the peace and wellbeing of the citizens he swore to protect.

“We deem it our responsibility to do everything possible within our power to advocate for the peace and wellbeing of the citizens, by calling on all well-meaning individuals and the Federal Government, to call on the governor to seize and desist from any further hostile action against the Kano emirate and the person of the Emir of Kano Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi ll.

“We believe in the adage better safe than sorry, we always want to be on the right path and the right side of history, expressing our objective opinions and engage relevant authorities for appropriate and timely action to prevent societal disasters.

“We decided not to wait and be reactive but to be proactive because of the heavy toll the repercussions of the alleged action of the Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, awaits the people of Kano if the alleged plot turns out to be true and it also remains unchecked.

“Therefore as responsible and concerned citizens, we strongly call on the governor to desist from going on with this alleged plot and such similar action, which is capable of jeopardizing the relative peace we enjoy in the State.

“We also particularly call on the security agencies, political leaders, the respected elders, venerated Ulamas, intellectuals, opinion leaders and any person or people with the means to reach out to advise the Governor to desist from such act.

“However, in the event that the Governor refuses to heed the good counsel and goes ahead to actualized  the evilly hatched dastardly agenda, we would be left with any other option but to strongly call on the federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Kano state as soon as the Governor makes the  pronouncement of the alleged plot, in order to save Kano State from the consequences of that action.

“We wish to use this medium to remind the people and Government on the consequences that occurred when similar action was attempted against the then Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero in 1981.

“We are of the strong belief that, today if such action is attempted may likely be the worst because of increased social and economic stress which are already keeping people on edge, ready to erupt as well as a much higher restless youth population in State,” the statement noted.

The group, therefore, called on the Federal Government to prevail on Mr Ganduje to forestall the alleged plot, “to ensure that Kano continues to remain peaceful.”

When contacted, Mr Ganduje’s Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, declined comment on the matter.