Presidency Debunks Involvement In Sanusi’s Dethronement

The Presidency on Wednesday broke the silence on the dethronement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari should be left out of Sanusi’s removal.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Special Assistant to the President on media and publicity to the president, Garba Shehu debunked the involvement of the president in the dethronement of the former Emir of Kano Sanusi, saying the president does not interfere in states matters.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has no involvement whatsoever in the dethronement of HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II from the position of Emir of Kano.

“All such insinuations are untrue, malicious and politically motivated,” Shehu wrote in the tweet in his verified twitter handle.

According to him, the President does not have a history of intervening in the affairs of any state in the country, unless the issue at hand is of national consequence.

He noted that on such matters which impinge on national security, he has a duty of involvement as the law stipulates.

“As outlined in the Constitution, the appointment or removal of emirs and other traditional leaders is strictly within the jurisdiction of state governments.

“It is unfair and disingenuous of opposition politicians to try to link the situation in Kano State to the federal government and the Nigerian President,” Shehu said.

He said the president as a retired General and former Military Head of State, he clearly understands that under the current democratic dispensation, the government at the centre cannot read instructions or twist the arms of all or any of the 36 state governments making up the federation. “They all have their powers specified under the Constitution.”

He said the president pray that the will of Allah will be done at all times and that the emirate/state and its people continue to experience progress irrespective of who is on the throne.

President Buhari had on Tuesday received the new Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero at the presidential villa, about 24 hours the former occupier of the position was dethroned by the state government sparking speculation that the president had hand in the going on in the Kano Emirate.

Also, the former governor of the state and a former senator under the ruling All Progressive Party (APC) Rabiu Kwankwaso has accused the president of being behind the dethronement of the emir of Kano.

Kwankwaso alleged that the former emir was removed to please Buhari.