A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Kano has granted an ex-parte order stopping the state Governor Abba Yusuf from reinstating Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of the state.

The court also stopped the state from implementing the new emirate law, which saw five emirs dethroned from their seats.

The suit, with number FHC/KN/CS/182/2024, was filed by one Sarkin Dawaki Babba (senior councillor at the Kano emirate), Aminu Babba-Dan’Agundi.

The applicant prayed for an order to suspend the implementation of the new law made by the Kano State House of Assembly.

Dan’agundi joined the state government, the state House of Assembly and its Speaker; the Attorney-General of the state; the state Commissioner of Police; the Inspector-General of Police; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; and the State Security Service (SSS) as respondents.

The presiding judge, Justice Ahmad Liman, after listening to the Applicant, granted leave to the Plaintiff/Applicant to issue and serve their Concurrent Originating Motion as well as all other court processes on the 6th Defendant (IGP) in FCT Abuja and outside the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court.

With the order of the court, the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano is expected to be put on hold.

“The court granted: “An order of interim injunction of this honourable court suspending, not giving effect to, not implementing the operation of the Kano State Emirate Council (repeal) Law, 2024 (1445 A.H.), as they affect all offices and institutions of the Emirates Council created under the provision of the Kano State Emirate Council Law, 2019 (1441 A.H.).

“This Honourable Court restraining the 5th to 8th (security agencies) from enforcing, executing, implementing and operationalizing the Kano State Emirate Council (repeal) Law, 2024 (1445 A.H.)

“In the alternative to relief 3 above, an order of of interim injunction of this honourable court for the maintenance and preservation of the subject matter and or the preservation of status quo by all the parties to this suit, pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion before this Honourable Court as well as an AN ORDER of accelerated hearing of this matter.

“The 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th respondents are hereby directed to ensure and maintain the peace and security in the state pending the determination of this application,” the judge ruled.

The judge adjourned the case to 3rd June 2024 for hearing of the Fundamental Rights application.

The ICIR reported how Governor Abba Yusuf, on Thursday, May 23, announced the reinstatement of Muhammadu Lamido Sanusi as the 14th Emir of Kano state.

The governor made the announcement immediately after he assented to the reversal of the emirate council law, which split the emirate into five councils in 2019.

Addressing a media briefing after signing the law on Thursday, May 23, Yusuf directed the embattled monarchs to vacate official residences and palaces. 

He also asked them to hand over the properties to the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs within two days.

The ICIR reported that the State House of Assembly after concluding the amendment of the Emirate Council Law of 2019 that created five emirates, announced the dethronement of the four emirs.

The decision was taken during plenary on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

According to the bill which passed the second and third reading on Thursday, district heads appointed or promoted under the law are also required to return to their previous positions by the new law.

KANO Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Thursday, May 23, announced the reinstatement of Muhammadu Lamido Sanusi as the 14th Emir of Kano state.

The governor made the announcement immediately after he assented to the reversal of the emirate council law, which split the emirate into five councils in 2019.

This means that all offices established under the former law and the emirs enthroned during the administration of the former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, have been set aside.

Addressing a media briefing after signing the law on Thursday, May 23, Yusuf directed the embattled monarchs to vacate official residences and palaces. 

He also asked them to hand over the properties to the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs within two days.

The ICIR reported that the State House of Assembly after concluding the amendment of the Emirate Council Law of 2019 that created five emirates, announced the dethronement of the four emirs.

The decision was taken during plenary on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

According to the bill which passed the second and third reading on Thursday, district heads appointed or promoted under the law are also required to return to their previous positions by the new law.

It also revived the single emirate system in the state, vesting constitutional powers to appoint a new emir in the State Governor Abba Yusuf alone.

Under the immediate past administration led by Abdullahi Ganduje, the previously existing single emirate system was abolished by the law that has now been amended.

Ganduje established the Bichi, Karaye, Gaya, and Rano emirates in addition to the Kano emirate.

Initially, the Kano State High Court nullified the creation of the new emirates. However, the lawmakers in 2019 passed a fresh law that brought about multiple emirs.

The state government then dethroned the existing Kano emir Lamido Sanusi citing insubordination and political interference as reason. He was replaced by Aminu Ado-Bayero, who was transferred from the Bichi emirate to Kano.

Before Sanusi was deposed, the ex-governor’s move to create new emirates was already being seen as an attempt to reduce the emir’s authority.

Sanusi served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from 2009 to 2014. He was suspended by former president Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.

Speaking on the amendment, Majority Leader of the House Lawan Dala told journalists that the creation of additional emirates through the amended law defeated the aim of the council, which was to serve as a custodian of culture.

The Kano State Assembly also adopted a motion to create a new second class emirate council in Kano on Thursday.

FEDERAL Lawmakers in both the Senate and the Federal House of Representatives have given reasons for their support of the bill to revert to the old national anthem, “Nigeria We hail thee”.

This followed the passage of a bill to revert to the old national anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” which passed the second reading at the Nigerian Senate, on Thursday, May 23.

The bill was also passed by the Federal House of Representatives on Thursday, having scaled the first, second and third reading.

Providing insight into the reason for the passage of  “A Bill for an Act to Provide for National Anthem, 2024,”  the Senate leader, Bamidele Opeyemi,  who sponsored the bill, said the old anthem aligns with the vision of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and will promote national unity.

The old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” whose lyrics were written by Lilian Jean Williams in 1959, and sung between 1960 and 1978, was replaced with the current one “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.

While lending support to the motion, a senator representing Enugu North, Okechuukwu  Ezea, explained that the old anthem evoked more emotional connections with the Nigerian people.

He pointed out that the current anthem is vague and does not pass any message.

Another, Senator who spoke in favour of the bill, Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, added that the current anthem is a product of a military junta and does not reflect the aspirations of Nigerians.

On his part, Jimoh Ibrahim said “If Nigeria we get the National  anthem right, we will get Nigeria right.”

Although, the approach with the passage of the bill was faulted by some senators, including Adams Oshiomhole and Mohammed Goje, of the ruling party All Progressive Congress, the bill scaled through second reading.

Reps passed bill, seeking to bring back National anthem 

Despite opposition by some lawmakers in the federal House of Representatives, the bill, sponsored by the Majority Leader of the House, Julius Ihonvbere, scaled through the first, second and third reading within minutes.

Speaking on the importance of going back to the anthem the House Leader, Ihonvbere, emphasised the need for Nigerians to see the anthem as a national symbol and sign of authority, one which does not deny the realities.

However, while opposing the bill, the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, noted that the old anthem has a colonial tag which was the reason for the new anthem.

Chinda further questioned the importance of the anthem change at a time of more important challenges in the country.

However, the bill was given an expedited hearing and subsequently passed by the lawmakers.

The old anthem, composed to music by Frances Berda, read: 

Nigeria we hail thee

Our own dear native land

Though tribe and tongue may differ

In brotherhood we stand

Nigerians all and proud to serve

Our sovereign motherland

Our flag shall be a symbol

That truth and justice reign

In peace or battle honour

And this we count as gain

To pass unto our children

A banner without stain

O God of all creation

Grant this our one request

Help us to build a nation

Where no man is oppressed

And so with peace and plenty

Nigeria may be blessed.

While the current goes as:

The current national anthem read thus:

Arise, O Compatriots,

Nigeria’s call obey

To serve our Fatherland

With love and strength and faith

The labour of our heroes past

Shall never be in vain,

To serve with heart and might

One nation bound in freedom,

Peace and unity.

Oh God of all creation,

Direct our noble cause

Guide our leaders right

Help our youth the truth to know

In love and honesty to grow

And living just and true

Great lofty heights attain

To build a nation where peace
And justice shall reign.

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has ordered a review of the list of the governing boards of tertiary institutions in Nigeria over the lack of federal character in the nominations.

The directive, which was contained in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, May 23, was against the backdrop of various criticisms and protests that trailed the appointments.

The ICIR earlier reported that the Federal Ministry of Education released names of nominees for chairmen, Pro-Chancellors, and members of the boards and councils of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, with an inauguration and retreat planned for May 31.

The nomination was, however, met with public criticism, with critics stating that some states received only one nomination while others received multiple nominations.

Reacting to the development, Tinubu acknowledged the feedback across the country, adding that his administration is committed to ensuring strict compliance with the principle of federal character as entrenched in the constitution.

The statement reads in part: “However, public reactions showed that the nominations did not reflect the federal character of the country as some states got just one nomination, while some others got many.

“In directing a complete review of the list of members, President Tinubu acknowledges the feedback across the country.

“President Tinubu is committed to ensuring strict compliance with the principle of federal character as entrenched in the constitution,” the statement added.

According to Tinubu, the review will also take into consideration national spread and ensure every part of the country is adequately represented.

The  Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) Bauchi zone, had on Tuesday, May 21, had raised concern over the composition of the governing boards across Federal Tertiary Institutions.

The ASUU chapter stated that the Tinubu-led administration should instead reinstate the earlier dissolved members.

The zone, comprised of  executives from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State University Gadau, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State University, Plateau State University, and the University of Jos, disclosed this after its meeting in Gombe State.

Speaking, Zonal Coordinator Comrade Namo Aku stated that the union did not request new board appointments, but rather urged Tinubu to reinstate the previously dismissed members.

THE dethronement of five Kano State emirs appointed by former governor Abdullahi Ganduje has continued to generate mixed reactions.

The State Assembly, earlier today, Thursday, May 23, while announcing the removal of the four emirs, noted that the creation of additional emirates through the amended law defeated the aim of the council, which was to serve as a custodian of culture.

The development followed the passage of the amendment of the Emirate Council Law of 2019 that created five emirates.

The decision was taken during plenary on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

According to the bill which passed second and third reading on Thursday, all offices established under the former law have been set aside. It also revived the single emirate system in the state, vesting constitutional powers to appoint a new emir in the State Governor Abba Yusuf alone.

District heads appointed or promoted under the law are also required to return to their previous positions by the new law.

It’s, however, unclear whether the sitting emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, who replaced Lamido Sanusi, has been dethroned by the state.

In 2019, Ganduje dethroned Sanusi citing insubordination and political interference as reasons.

While there is no official communication regarding the reinstatement of Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, both Leadership and Daily Trust Newspapers reported that the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor is on his way to his seat.

According to Daily Trust, Sanusi, who was in Rivers state earlier today, is making preparations for an elegant return.

“Emir Sanusi is currently preparing for his return to the throne. Although he is not in town at the moment, we are expecting his return on Friday,” one of the sources said.

Meanwhile, the move has been met with mixed reactions from Nigerians on social, with many celebrating Sanusi’s possible return to the seat.

An X user, Fatimah Gambo Raka, wrote: “Alhamdulillah we called our Governor @Kyusufabba to reinstate our Beloved King HRH Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II back to the throne and he heard our voices, Thank you My Governor we really appreciate you, Kano is blessed.”

Another user, with the name Sir David Onyemaizu, said “Lamido Sanusi has always been the rightful Emir of Kano. Because he’s a blunt man who speaks the truth, without pandering to greedy politicians, Ganduje removed him.”

Also, @Yousaseef11, said “Abuse of power can have devastating consequences but Naija no dey care. It’s disheartening that some individuals defended  Ganduje’s unjust actions when he deposed Sanusi as the Emir of Kano. They justified the move, saying, “Sanusi speaks out too much, and you can’t”

However, some also said Sanusi’s reinstatement might cause a political instability and a bad precedent in the state .

An X user, Abdul-Aziz Naibi Abubakar, wrote: It seems Sanusi Lamido Sanusi will set record as the first Emir of Kano to be dethroned twice, because nothing can stop the next government from dethroning him, if Gov. Abba decided to bring him back.

“Each an every Kano state governor will now come with his own Emir. What a bad legacy bequeathed by Ganduje and now Gov. Abba continue with the legacy.”