The Kano emirate crisis yesterday took a new turn as the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, said his supporters acted in self-defence during Sunday’s clash at the Kofar Kudu palace of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Speaking through his media aide, Khalid Uba, Emir Bayero maintained that none of his supporters carried weapons and insisted they were provoked by an attack while passing through the area.
Uba said, “Upon our arrival from Dantata house on a condolence visit, some youths stormed the road with stones and weapons at Kofar Kudu.
“When we arrived towards Kofar Kudu, they started throwing stones at us, but fortunately, we were able to chase them back into the house, and the Emir passed successfully without anyone getting injured,” he said.
He added that Emir Bayero’s passage through that route was not unusual and had been used several times in the past. “No one on Emir Bayero’s entourage carried any weapon, but they were forced to repel the attack,” he said.
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The palace clash, which erupted on Sunday, saw supporters of both Emir Sanusi II and Emir Bayero engage in a violent scuffle at Kofar Kudu.
The state government has since described the incident as unfortunate, stating that innocent citizens were injured during the chaos.
Emirate response
A statement earlier issued by the Kano Emirate Media Team, signed by Sadam Yakasai, confirmed that Emir Sanusi was not in the palace at the time of the attack.
“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,” the statement alleged.
Uba also confirmed the alleged eviction of Emir Bayero’s loyalists from the palace, adding that various complaints had been received over the issue.
Genesis of attack
Tensions have remained high within the Kano Emirate following the state government’s decision to reinstate Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano after a review of the emirate law that had previously split Kano into five separate emirates.
Meanwhile, the move is currently being challenged in court, with Aminu Ado Bayero refusing to relinquish his position. He continues to occupy the Nasarawa Palace under tight security.
