President Muhammadu Buhari says the involvement of the Kano State House of Assembly in the state’s emirates controversy has left him with no ‘right to interfere’.
The President is said to have made the statement on Friday when he hosted a delegation of traditional rulers and politicians from Kano led by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
“By the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Governor of Kano State has his own roles, once a matter is in the hands of the House of Assembly (like in Kano), the president has no constitutional right to interfere,” Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, quoted him saying in a statement.
He added: “I am here by the Constitution, I swore by it, and I am going to stand by it. But let me tell you the bottom-line of my understanding of the constitutional role is that peace and security of all Nigerians must be guaranteed, where the people are threatened, then I will use my constitutional powers.”
Aided by the assembly, Ganduje created four new first-class emirates to add to the Kano emirate headed by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
It was believed that the move was to reduce Sanusi’s influence after the monarch allegedly opposed his re-election in 2019.
Ganduje also threatened to dethrone Sanusi for insubordination.
The governor told reporters after the meeting: “It is a constitutional issue and the governor and the Emir, we are working within our own jurisdictions and the problem will be solved amicably.”
