Kano Emirate tussle: Group ask US to impose visa ban on Gov Yusuf, others

A coalition of civil society organizations in Kano State, under the aegis of Save Kano Coalition, has urged the United States and other members of the international community to impose visa restrictions on Governor Abba Yusuf and members of his cabinet.

The coalition alleged that some actions by the governor in the ongoing Kano Emirate crisis has brought divisions amongst citizens in the state.

DAILY POST recalls that the Kano State House of Assembly in June repealed the State Emirate Council Law 2019, dissolving the five emirates in the state.

The governor, after signing the bill, sacked five Emirs including Ado Bayero appointed as Emir of Kano by the former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

After sacking Bayero, Governor Yusuf reinstated former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II, who was dethroned in 2020 as Emir of Kano.

The development has been generating controversy across the state with conflicting court orders.

Following the controversy, the Kano CSO coalition expressed worries over security in state, stressing that the Emirate tussle has triggered chaos that may lead to break down of law and order.

According to them, the crisis could lead to open confrontation between supporters of the governor and law enforcement agencies, who have refused to evict Bayero from the palace.

In a petition dated June 28, 2024, and signed by its convener, Aminu Abdullah, the Coalition appealed to the United States ambassador to sanction the governor.

“We call for stringent sanctions against the governor Abba Yusuf-led government in Kano State until he ceases to disobey court orders and bring a halt to all anti-democratic practices.

“We equally demand that travel ban and visa restrictions be placed on the governor and top members of his cabinet.

“We call for the Kano government to be blacklisted from grants and partnership by international organisations and development and or donor agencies whose interests can no longer be guaranteed in the volatile environment which the government has created with their own hands,” the group said.