Kano’s Emirate Crisis
The tussle over the Kano Emirate has reached a shocking and deeply concerning new low, with a state high court ordering the eviction of the deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero from his palace. This drastic move, backed by the state government branding Bayero a “threat to peace”, represents an unnecessary escalation that undermines centuries of tradition and the rule of law.
At the crux of Kano’s Emirate Crisis is the repeal of the Kano Emirate Council law by the state government, which had created four additional emirates during the previous administration. The new government has reinstated a single, undivided Kano Emirate under the former CBN governor Muhammadu Sanusi II, who was dethroned in 2020 before this latest saga.
While the tussle over the emirates’ structures is a political matter, the heavyhanded approach of forcibly evicting Emir Bayero sets a dangerous precedent. The monarchy may be a symbolic institution in modern times, but it is inextricably linked to the cultural identity and heritage of the Kano people. The bid to unceremoniously remove Bayero appears to be an overreach of political power over tradition.
What makes the situation even more tenuous is the apparent disdain for court orders and due process displayed by both the state government and the judiciary. A Federal High Court had initially granted an order stopping the repeal of the emirates law, which the state ignored. Now a state court has issued a countermanding eviction order, creating conflicting legal interpretations and sowing confusion.
This back-and-forth volley of contradictory court orders and unilateral executive actions is causing an avoidable crisis where the rule of law and judicial authority are being undermined from all quarters. It tarnishes Nigeria’s democracy and establishes a poor example of respect for institutions.
Moreover, the attempt to brand the respected Emir Bayero a persona non-grata and potential threat in his homeland seems like an extreme overreaction driven more by political muscle-flexing than any substantive security risk. It creates unnecessary friction and humiliation for a revered traditional leader merely for refusing to abdicate his position.
While reforming the governance structure of emirates may be a reasonable objective, the means to this end are just as important as the goal itself in a democratic society. The use of brute force and disregard for judicial authority does little more than escalate tensions and divides in Kano.
A more prudent approach would have been to negotiate with Bayero and the other deposed emirs to explore an amicable transition that respects tradition while implementing the desired policy changes through established democratic processes. Diplomacy and wisdom should prevail over unrestrained political zeal.
The Kano’s Emirate Crisis sends a worrying signal about the state of respect for heritage, rule of law, and the balance of powers between branches of government in Nigeria’s democracy. If left unchecked, it could embolden other states to follow suit and undertake similarly cavalier actions against traditional institutions under the guise of political expediency.
For the sake of Kano’s peace and Nigeria’s democratic traditions, all parties need to take a step back, disengage from brinkmanship, and commit to resolving this dispute through legal processes and good-faith negotiations. Tradition and progressive reforms need not be incompatible if pursued with wisdom and restraint. The escalating emirate tussle must be defused before further damage is done.
Reference
Emirate tussle: Court orders Bayero’s eviction, Kano says deposed emir a threat published in Punch