By Nasiru Yusuf

A civil society group on the restoration and preservation of Kano heritage, the Renaissance Coalition said it has uncovered plans by Kano state government to transfer the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, to Bichi emirate in a bid to remove him from office.

The group, which was headed by the Special Assistant to President Muhammad Buhari on Political Affairs AbdurRahman Bappa Yola alleged that, the government has also arranged to depose the Emir if he resists directive to swap positions with Emir of Bichi Aminu Ado Bayero.

A statement sent to Kano Focus by the coalition’s spokesperson Ibrahim Wayya described the move as unfortunate, as there is a subsisting court ruling which ordered the maintenance of status quo pending pending the determination of the matter.

The statement added that “even the contentious law which was maliciously and hurriedly made, and is being challenged before the court, has not explicitly provided for such swap.”

It alleged that the move is a clear manifestation of extreme desperation on the part of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to advance a personal vendetta at the expense of the peace and well-being of the citizens he swore to protect.

The group called on Mr Ganduje to desist from implementing the alleged plot, which it said is capable of jeopardizing the relative peace enjoy in the State.

It also particularly called on the security agencies, political leaders, respected elders, Ulamas, intellectuals, opinion leaders and any person or people with the means to reach out to advise the governor to desist from such act “that is likely to cause violent unrest in the polity.”

“We deem it our responsibility to do everything possible within our power to advocate for the peace and well-being of the citizens, by calling on all well meaning individuals and the Federal Government, to call the governor to order, to seize and desist from any further hostile action against the Kano emirate and the person of the Emir of Kano Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi ll.

“We believe in the adage better safe than sorry, we always want to be on the right path and the right side of history, expressing our objective opinions and engage relevant authorities for appropriate and timely action to prevent societal disasters. We decided not to wait and be reactive but to be proactive because of the perceived heavy toll the repercussions of the alleged action of the Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, awaits the people of Kano, if the alleged plot is materialized and remains unchecked.

“Therefore, as responsible and concerned citizens, we strongly call on the governor to desist from going on with this alleged plot and such similar action, which is capable of jeopardizing the relative peace we enjoy in the State. We also particularly call on the security agencies, political leaders, the respected elders, venerated Ulamas, intellectuals, opinion leaders and any person or people with the means to reach out to advise the Governor to desist from such act,” the group said.

The coalition however, threatened to call on the federal government to declare a state of emergency in Kano state as soon as Mr Ganduje makes the pronouncement of the alleged plot, in order to save Kano State from the consequences of the governor’s action.

The statement recalled how Kano became tense when a similar action was attempted against the then Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero in 1981, noting that if such action is attempted, “it may likely be the worst because of increased social and economic stress which are already keeping people on edge, ready to erupt as well as a much higher restless youth population in the State.”

“It is our prayer that, the Federal Government, must to do everything possible to prevail on the Governor to forestall the alleged plot of Swapping the Emir of Kano Mallam Muhammad Sanusi, to ensure that our dear State remains peaceful,” the statement concluded.

However, in a phone interview with Kano Focus, Abba Anwar, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ganduje, dismissed the claims, saying he was not aware of such moves.

“I heard it in town just like any other person,” he said.

The group had once called on the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, to intervene when the crisis first erupted between governor Mr Ganduje and Emir Sanusi over the creation of four additional emirates in Kano State.