THE Kano State Police Command has dismissed circulating rumour that the deposed Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, will lead the Juma’at prayer at the Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, in Kano, the state capital, today, Friday, May 31.
In a statement released by the command spokesperson, Haruna Kiyawa, this morning, the police refuted the claim, labelling it as false.
The claim, which began to spread across social media at dawn, caused a stir among residents and raised questions over who the authentic emir is.
According to a report, both emirs issued separate statements inviting residents to join the Juma’at prayers to be held in their separate palaces.
The police agreed with the emirs holding Juma’at in their separate palaces, and the police said other state security agencies would join them to provide adequate security at the palaces where both emirs would lead their prayers.
The statement quoted the commissioner of police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, that Bayero will observe Jumma’at prayer in the mosque where he currently resides at the Nasarawa palace.
He said all necessary security arrangements had been made for Bayero to observe his Juma’at prayers in the mini palace mosque.
“The CP also assured that the police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at prayers.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property,” the statement added.
The ICIR reports that Bayero was deposed along with four other emirs in the state on Thursday, May 23, when the state legislators abolished the existing five emirates and revived the single emirate system in the state.
Following the dethronement, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf reinstated Sanusi, who was dethroned under the previous administration led by Abdullahi Ganduje.
The reinstatement occurred despite a court order restricting the governor from reinstating the former emir.
However, Bayero refused to relinquish his position and returned to the city on Saturday, May 25, in the company of security officials.
Various contradictory court orders have been issued by both state and federal high courts on the legitimacy of both emirs, leaving many people confused about the position of the law.
The contradictory court orders have been condemned by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which described them as shameful and damaging to the legal profession.
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Olukayode Ariwoola summoned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the Chief Judge of Kano State High Court over conflicting interim injunctions regarding the emirate.
District heads and members of the Islamic sect, Tijjaniyya Shura Council, have pledged their support to Sanusi as Bayero also enjoys his wide support across the state.
To avoid chaos, the state governor, Abba Yusuf, has banned any form of protest in the state.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M