A confrontation broke out near the Kofar Kudu palace of the reinstated 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, allegedly involving supporters of the deposed 15th Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.
It is understood that the clash occurred while Emir Sanusi was away from the palace.
A statement issued by the Kano Emirate Media Team and signed by Sadam Yakasai alleged that loyalists of Bayero attacked palace guards and damaged property within the vicinity.
“They broke the gate and attacked the guards, injuring some of them. They smashed the police vehicles in the palace. Aminu deliberately passed through the emir’s palace road instead of taking the proper route from Koki to Nassarawa, and his hoodlums decided to attack Gidan Rumfa,” Yakasai claimed.
He added, “This is not the first time he has passed through the area. He had done that previously after he visited his Mandawari residence. He did that to intimidate the people of the area.”
The media aide further alleged that the deposed monarch, despite not challenging his removal in court, had continued to occupy the Nassarawa mini-palace and act in defiance of the state government’s directive.
“He has not challenged his deposition in any court, but he is relying on others who did. The governor has shown restraint and statesmanship despite the nuisance caused by the deposed emir and his hoodlums in the neighbourhood of the Government House.”
Yakasai also maintained that Bayero lacked the support of key traditional leaders in the state. He said, “It should also be noted that the deposed Emir does not have the support of any of the emirate stakeholders, as 37 out of the 38 District Heads have pledged allegiance to Emir Sanusi.”
He added that even within Bayero’s family, support for the deposed monarch was fractured.
“It is only one out of the six brothers of Aminu Ado Bayero who did not pledge allegiance. Even the nephew of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje was recently turbaned as the Village Head of Ganduje by Emir Muhammad Sanusi II, rather than Aminu Ado Bayero, who claims to be the emir.
“This is the first time deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero is taking his fight directly to Gidan Rumfa while remaining in his heavily secured domain in Nassarawa Palace, very close to the Kano State Government House.”
However, a different version of the events emerged from Muktar Dahiru, an eyewitness and member of Bayero’s entourage. He dismissed the claims made by Yakasai and attributed the clash to an altercation involving unidentified miscreants.
“I was on the entourage of the Emir of Kano, Alh. Aminu Bayero, at the time the incident occurred. We were actually coming from Koki quarters on a condolence visit to Alhaji Aminu Dantata’s family house,” Dahiru said.
He explained that trouble started when individuals brandishing weapons mounted a barricade near the palace to obstruct Bayero’s motorcade.
“But while returning to Nassarawa palace through Kofar-Kudu, we saw some hoodlums blocking the road at the front of the palace. They were with dangerous weapons. At that point, the supporters of Emir Bayero had to confront them to clear the way, and they did that successfully, and Emir Bayero made his way unhurt,” he said.
Dahiru stated he was unaware of any palace guard being injured but confirmed that the confrontation prompted police intervention.
The police are yet to react to the development.
