Nuhu Ribadu sets the record straight on Kano Emir

National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has refuted allegations that he facilitated the return of the dethroned Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, to the state.

The accusations were made by Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, who claimed Ribadu helped the former Emir return to the city at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Gwarzo, in a brief video interview at the Emir’s palace in Gidan Rumfa, asserted that the NSA arranged for two aircraft to transport Ado-Bayero back to Kano. However, in an interview with Premium Times on Saturday, Zakari Mijinyawa, the spokesperson for the NSA’s office, dismissed these claims as false.

Mijinyawa stated,

“I read the comments on social media, it is untrue. The NSA did not provide air transport to anyone to Kano.”

He also urged politicians to be cautious with their statements, warning that misinformation could undermine the efforts of security agencies to maintain peace in the state.

The controversy follows the recent reinstatement of Lamido Sanusi, the 14th Emir of Kano, by Governor Abba Yusuf. Sanusi’s reinstatement, which occurred on Friday, came four years after his removal by the previous administration of Abdullahi Ganduje.

This move was made possible by the repealing of the state’s Emirate Council Law 2019, which had created five emirate councils and first-class emirs.

However, the Federal High Court has issued an order restraining the state government from implementing the new emirate council law that reinstated Sanusi.

In response, the state Police Command has called on all parties involved in the crisis to comply with the court order and has pledged to maintain peace and order in the state.