New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), yesterday, warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) against using the judiciary to incite violence in Kano State over the emirate council law.
The warning followed concerns that the APC is attempting to use the courts to challenge the legitimacy of the Kano State Emirate Council Law, which was recently amended.
NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, in a statement, held that APC’s actions are a “desperate attempt to snatch power in Kano State, having lost the 2023 governorship election.”
While appealing to eminent Nigerians to intervene in the matter, the ruling party in Kano State said it is high time the APC was cautioned against “setting Kano State on fire.”
The party warned that “APC’s actions could lead to a state of emergency being declared in Kano, allowing the Federal Government to take control of the state.”
Johnson said: “We saw how, despite the obvious error, the Federal High Court in Kano assumed jurisdiction and granted an ex-parte order for the ex-Emir to challenge the alleged infringement of his fundamental rights, only to turn around and hear a motion to set aside a validly made chieftaincy law of the State House of Assembly, claiming the rule of law.
“This rather alarming behaviour, especially after it had been brought to His Lordship’s notice that a validly entered Appeal at the Court of Appeal in the matter was in His Lordship’s file together with a motion for Stay of Proceedings! What is wrong with some of our judges? Incredulously, Justice Liman proceeded with the matter and is poised to rule on the motion tomorrow (today), Thursday, in a possible bid to illegally set aside the Chieftaincy Law, and possibly, by what the appellate courts call judicial rascality, potentially set the state ablaze!”
He continued: “However, those who can read (in) between the lines will understand that this decision was intended to frustrate the state government in the exercise of its lawful duties. Of course, we know that the position of the court is contrary to established legal precedent. The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that a chieftaincy matter, such as this, is not a fundamental rights matter.
“The associated issues above bordering on cruel abuse of power and illegality were what Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso spoke to in Madobi and his views remain relevant and convincing. Some power-drunk elements are deliberately out to cause disorder and make Kano ungovernable for a selfish political objective.
“We are aware of this. So the call by APC State Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, for the arrest of Kwankwaso was irresponsible without addressing his concern that the invasion of Kano with full military in support of Ado Bayero, a deposed emir, was a greater threat to peace in Kano.
“Also, Abba’s remark that Kwankwaso is leading a cult-like Kwankwasiyya is nothing new, he only re-echoed the same line of their Tribunal-lawyer and the similarity of thought is understandable. Of course, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is a statesman and patriot.”
