MPAC seeks to call the attention of the public to the situation of the deposed Emir of Kano Emirate Council, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and to advocate for his immediate release. The former Emir was dethroned on Monday 9th March, 2020 via a letter signed by the Secretary to Kano State Government, stating that the decision to remove him was due to his “general disrespect to lawful instructions from the authorities, including persistent refusal to attend programmes and meetings organised by Government, which is viewed as an act of insubordination”

Although the government of Kano State insists that it has not banished the referred former Emir as widely reported, the facts speak for themselves. The practice of banishing deposed mornach is not only obsolete and cruel, it is also opposed to the constitutional guarantees of freedom of movement, association and expression for all citizens save those found guilty of specific crimes. In the same vein, we call on President Muhammadu Buhari to demonstrate adequate concerns about the ugly developments being co-ordinated by the Kano State Government and others that may be involved. It is our nation’s responsibility to protect the honour, security, safety and freedom of citizens, and the shocking treatment of the former Emir must not go unnoticed.

We therefore call on the Kano State government to unconditionally release HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and to uphold his right to freedom of movement, association and expression.

We appreciate voices of calm and restraint on all sides who have not given into deadly instincts for anger and violence in the light of these most unfortunate events, the most important of such restraint being the wise and immediate response of the former Emir himself when he received the letter informing him of his dethronement. We join our voices with his to invoke these Quranic words:

‘Owner Of The Kingdom – You bestow the kingdom on whomever You will, and You take back the kingdom from whomever You will; and You give honour to whomever You will, and You humiliate whomever You will; only in Your hand lies all goodness; indeed, You are Able to do all things.”’ Surah Al-Imran, verse 26.

These are most instructive admonitions to all our leaders.

Disu Kamor
Executive Chairman
Muslim Public Affairs Centre, MPAC
www.mpac-ng.org