By Ayomide Otitoju
The Kano State Government has alleged that the Federal Government orchestrated the barricade of the palace of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, by security operatives on Thursday.
The Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, made the accusation during an interview on a local radio station, expressing shock over the incident, which saw police seal off the palace entrance in Kano city, disrupting planned activities.
A Sudden Turn of Events
“We were really surprised waking up to this development, with police sealing off the entrance to the palace of Kano Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II,” Bichi said.
He described the action as a calculated move to destabilize the state. “What surprises us the most is that Kano is peaceful, but it’s just a few people that have the backing of Abuja that don’t want Kano to be peaceful,” he added.
Planned Ceremonial Activities Disrupted
According to Bichi, the Emir had scheduled a ceremony to escort the newly appointed district head of Bichi, Wamban Kano, to his district for prayers and festivities. “The emir was to escort his district head of Bichi, Wamban Kano, pray with him there, and then come back. We were all invited, and then we woke up to this,” he said.
Bichi claimed that when state officials inquired about the reason for the barricade, they were told it was an “order from above,” implying Federal Government involvement.
Kano Vows to Uphold Peace
Despite the disruption, the Kano State Government remains resolute in maintaining peace and proceeding with the planned activities. “We in Kano have resolved to stay in peace; peace will reign, and nobody will come to Kano and destabilize that,” Bichi stated firmly.
He also reiterated the legitimacy of the Emir’s appointment of the district head. “The emir has appointed the district head, and it stands. He will take him to his place, and whenever he is ready to go there, we are going there with him—no going back,” he concluded.
The Federal Government has yet to issue a response to these allegations.
