MURIC Demands End to Governors’ Power to Depose Monarchs

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for an end to the authority of state governors to depose monarchs, emphasizing the need to safeguard the sanctity of traditional institutions and prevent political interference.

This demand follows the recent dethronement of five emirs in Kano State and the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who was deposed in 2020.

The move has ignited a political crisis in the state, prompting calls for a review of laws that empower governors to remove traditional rulers at will.

MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, stated that the organization has long advocated for the repeal of such laws to protect traditional rulers from political machinations.

“Kano is currently embroiled in crisis as the state governor, Abba Yusuf, deposed five emirs and reinstated Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who was dethroned as emir of Kano on March 9, 2020,” Akintola said.

“MURIC is shocked by these developments. It is not only embarrassing but confusing, to say the least, as we struggle to restrain ourselves from any explosive outburst.

“Politicians are out to debilitate, destabilize, and dismantle the traditional system. Governors have bastardized the traditional system the same way they messed up the local government system across the country.

The show of power in Kano in the last 48 hours is symptomatic of serious decay and a big threat to our nascent democracy.

Traditional rulers are being victimized by political intrigues, and the fear of the total collapse of traditional values hangs over us like the sword of Damocles.

“It is an open secret that governors act with politics in mind. We strongly condemn the way two governors, past and present, have turned the revered stool of the ancient city of Kano into a tool for a ping-pong game.

Our traditional rulers, who should be respected by governors, are now being pushed hither and thither.”

Akintola reiterated MURIC’s stance that governors should no longer have the power to dethrone traditional rulers, a position the organization has maintained on several occasions.

“The naked dance in the marketplace currently going on in Kano makes it imperative for Nigerians to rise against the excesses of governors.

It is time we demand that our lawmakers immunize traditional rulers from disgraceful, untimely, unnecessary, and politically motivated dethronements.

This does not mean traditional rulers will be all-powerful. Those who misbehave can still be sanctioned by the kingmakers, who can suspend or dethrone them, providing sufficient checks and balances.”

MURIC also appealed to all stakeholders in the Kano crisis to tread softly and avoid inflammatory statements.

“All sides in this saga have gone to the extreme. The deposition of Emir Sanusi in 2020 for alleged insubordination was an extreme measure.

But ordering the arrest of Emir Ado Bayero after his removal is high-handed, particularly without stating his crime.

Revenge is a wild dish, and the path of moderation is the path of decency.

“While we call on Kano citizens to remain calm, we appeal to security agencies to avoid confrontation. Kano must not burn,” Akintola concluded.