Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has directed the arrest of dethroned Emir Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, following his return to the city on Saturday amid a large crowd of supporters.
Bayero, who had been unaccounted for since his removal on Thursday, arrived at Aminu Kano International Airport early in the morning to a warm reception from his followers.
Governor Yusuf’s order for Bayero’s arrest was announced in a statement by Sanusi Tofa, Director General of Media and Publicity at the Government House. The Governor accused Bayero of inciting tension and disrupting public peace in the state.
This development follows the repeal of a law enacted by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in December 2019, which had split the Kano emirate into five and appointed new Emirs. The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)-controlled House of Assembly reversed this law, and Governor Yusuf subsequently reinstated Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, who was deposed by Ganduje in 2020.
Sanusi received his reappointment letter on Friday and led Jumat prayers at the Government House. Meanwhile, Bayero’s return to Kano in the early hours of Saturday was marked by a large gathering of supporters chanting religious verses and expressing their support.
Governor Yusuf’s statement emphasized the need to maintain peace and order in Kano, directing the Commissioner of Police to arrest Bayero for allegedly disturbing the state’s stability. The statement read, “As the Chief Security Officer of the state, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has directed the Commissioner of Police to arrest the deposed Emir with immediate effect for disturbing public peace and attempting to destroy the relative peace the state enjoys.”
The new Emir, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, arrived at the palace early Saturday, accompanied by top government officials, including the Governor, the Deputy Governor, and the Speaker.
