Fresh concern don dey rise for Kano State as rumour spread say Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf dey plan to defect from di New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) go di ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move wey many believe fit reopen di long-standing Kano emirship crisis.
Political watchers say di alleged defection don rekindle anxiety around di sensitive tussle between Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and di 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, two traditional rulers wey di state don dey battle with since 2020.
According to findings, di defection speculation na one of di reasons wey make Governor Yusuf meet President Bola Tinubu behind closed doors recently for di State House, Abuja. Sources also say Yusuf don fix another date to officially dump NNPP join APC after several postponements.
Di Kano emirate crisis start during di tenure of former governor Abdullahi Ganduje, when Sanusi bin dethroned and Ado Bayero installed following di emirate law. When Yusuf come into office for 2023 under NNPP, im repeal di law, restore single emirate system and bring back Sanusi, while Ado Bayero comot palace.
Na this fragile arrangement di rumoured APC defection dey threaten, as many fear say di political balance wey favour Sanusi fit weaken if Yusuf aligns with di ruling party at di centre.
Supporters of Ado Bayero, wey still see am as di legitimate Emir, believe say di defection fit open door for fresh legal and political battles. On di other hand, Sanusi loyalists worry say di Emir, wey don already divide opinion, fit become more vulnerable if power dynamics change.
Di rumour don also deepen political tension between Yusuf supporters and loyalists of im political godfather, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, wey play major role for Yusuf emergence and Sanusi reinstatement.
‘Defection Fit Trigger Security Crisis’ — Analyst
Speaking on Arise TV, Sumner Sambo, Editor for Politics at Arise News, warn say if Governor Yusuf defect to APC, e fit worsen di emirship crisis and create serious security risks for Kano.
According to Sambo, Kano dey operate two power centres, with some people calling Ado Bayero di “federal Emir” and Sanusi di “state Emir.” He warn say Sanusi current security arrangement dey weak, as e no get formal police protection and dey rely on vigilantes.
He add say APC fit revisit plan to restore Ado Bayero if Yusuf joins dem, a move wey fit spark unrest and political fallout as Nigeria dey head towards 2027 elections.
‘Fate of Emirs Tied to Politics’ — Analyst
Public affairs analyst Nduka Odo say di future of both emirs depend largely on di relationship between state and federal governments. According to am, a Yusuf defection go further expose Nigeria systemic failure, where traditional institutions survival dey depend on political interests.
He blame di judiciary for failing to decisively resolve di crisis, allowing politicians to keep influencing di fate of respected traditional stools.
Rights Group Blames Judiciary
Also speaking, Olu Omotayo, President of di Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), blame di prolonged crisis on di judiciary failure. He describe di existence of two emirs as abnormal and a threat to Kano peace and stability.
According to am, whether Governor Yusuf defects or not, courts get responsibility to end di uncertainty and protect security of di state.
As speculation continue, many Kano residents dey watch closely, fearing say political moves fit once again throw di ancient emirate into deeper crisis.
