* Cites safety concerns
Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf, has served dethroned emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, a quit notice to immediately vacate the Nasarawa palace where he is currently occupying.
The governor said he wants to demolish the dilapidated parts of the property for reconstruction and renovation.
The government on Sunday, expressed dismay that Bayero is still “squatting” at the Nasarawa palace, saying it is not safe for him to continue to live there.
Governor Yusuf, on Saturday, approved the sum of N99.9 million for the immediate reconstruction and renovation of the Nasarawa palace, saying the deposed emir should quit immediately, for his safety and avoidance of embarrassment.
The approval was made during the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in Government House chaired by the governor on Saturday.
“The approved sum of N99,928,541.63 is for reconstruction and renovation of the defective wall/fence and surroundings of the Nassarawa Emir’s Palace,” the governor’s Media and Publicity Director General, Sanusi Bature, reportedly said on Sunday.
The first quit notice was issued by the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi, on behalf of the governor, saying that the Federal High Court ruling by Justice by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman reaffirmed the validity of the law passed by Kano State House of Assembly and assented to by the governor – the instrumentality of the law used by the State government to sack Bayero and reinstate Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
Bature reportedly said that the Nasawara palace is a graveyard, which Bayero must vacate for the intended reconstruction purpose.
“His (Aminu’s) father was buried there; his grandfather is there and his great grandfather is there. You can find out,” the governor’s spokesman reportedly added on Sunday.
He further said: “So, the Nasawara palace is a cemetery for late Emirs of Kano, not much of a palace.
“Another part of it is used as a guest house for very important visitors of the palace. It is also where the emir can rest for a short while when he is coming back from an annual festival during the Sallah celebration, or when he is coming to Government House.
“So, Aminu is living in a graveyard. He forced himself into that property. We want to renovate it so it can be used for its original purpose and for Bayero’s safety from the defective structure.
“We are indeed concerned about the safety of him continuing to stay in the graveyard.
“With the repeal of the 2019 emirate law, which had created additional emirates like Bichi, Karaye, Gaya, and Rano, Bayero’s jurisdiction no longer exists.
“I mean, with the revision of the law under one united Kano, the emirate that Bayero once served does not exist again.
“He was the 15th Emir of Kano State, but his jurisdiction was not for the 44 local government areas of Kano State; it was only for the eight metropolitan government councils, which is now abolished.
Speaking on the recent ruling nullifying the government’s actions in connection to the new (repealed) emirate law, the government’s spokesman said they are at appeal, and are hopeful of getting judgment because the whole thing -sack and appointment of emirs were purely a State affair, hailing the judgment that it did not set aside the new law but affirmed that Bayero has been dethroned.
* Media Report