Breaking: Group writes US Ambassador to Nigeria over Kano Emirates Tussle

The Save Kano Coalition, an amalgamation of civil society organisations in Kano State, has petitioned the United States Ambassador to Nigeria over the Kano Emirates tussle.

The petition dated June 28, 2024, appealed to the ambassador to “order and deter the Abba Yusuf-led recalcitrant” Kano State Government from further undermining the institutions of democracy in the state.

The group warned that if urgent steps are not taken now, it could have “unimaginable consequences” for the peace, law, order, and socio-economic well-being of the state in the near future.

“This has become necessary as the governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf and his Party, the NNPP have turned Kano into a banana republic and a laughing stock in the eyes of the outside world. The rule of law has become the biggest casualty as the governor who has already subjugated the legislative arm of government, now interpretes judgements of the Court to conform with his vicious, malicious and vindictive intentions,” the coalition said in a statement signed by its Convener, Comr. Ibrahim Musa.

“The Kano Emirate Council which the governor is working overtime to convert to an appendage of his political Party is a revered traditional insitution with age-long values, culture, customs and traditions that is cherished, held in high esteem and guided jealously by subjects of the Emirate Council and outsiders alike.

“Today, the ancient city sits on edge as a result of the division and enmity which governor Yusuf and his godfather, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have imported into Kano politics. The disregard for due process in running the affaim of the State has become so alarming that we can no longer pretend that all is well with our dear State and if the American government and her international allies who are the custodians of democracy, civil and human rights decides to turn a deaf ear ir and a blind eye to happenings in the Stant, Stair, it’s in only a matter of time before the time-bomb being planted in the State by Governor Yusuf explode in our faces. A conflagration in Kano State will be a threat will be a threat to the peace and stability of Nigeria and the whole of Africa and whatever can be done to pass this message to the government before it becomes too late must be done now.”

The group pointed out that the actions of Governor Abba Yusuf, who is being influenced by his godfather, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to target perceived political enemies have the potential to fuel extremism and worsen the current security challenges in Northern Nigeria and the country as a whole.

SKC called for strict sanctions against the Governor Abba Yusuf-led government in Kano State until he stops disregarding court orders and ends all anti-democratic practices.

The coalition demanded that the Kano State government be excluded from receiving grants and partnerships from international organisations, development agencies, and donor agencies.

“The actions, decisions and policies The government have the potential of brewing estremism and of the compound the current security challenges being experienced in Northern Nigeria in particular and Nigeria as at large. With the governor’s penchant for disobeying the Orders of of the Coun, the people are already being tempted to resort to self-help and taking laws into their own hands. This could also lead to open confrontation between over noverzealous supporters of the governor and his Party on the one hand, and the law enforcement agencies on the other hand as their neutrality is being mad seen as working against the interest of the ruling government in the State to be

“We call for stringent sanctions against the governor Abba Yusuf-led government in Kano State until he ceases to disobey Court Orders and bring a halt to all anti-democratic practices. We equally demand that travel ban and Visa restrictions be placed on the governor and top members of his cabinet. We call for the Kano government to be blacklisted from grants and partnership by international organisations and development and or donor agencies whose interests can no longe be guaranteed in the volatile environment which the government has created with their own hands,” the statement added.