Kano Government Holds FG Responsible for Emir’s Palace Barricade

The Kano State Government has blamed the Federal Government for the recent barricade of the Emir’s Palace, sparking discussions about governance and federal-state relations in Nigeria.

The Kano State Government has alleged that the Federal Government arranged for security operatives to barricade the palace of Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 16th Emir of Kano, on Thursday.

During an interview on a local radio station, Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, the Secretary to the State Government, made these assertions.

The unexpected incident led the police to seal off the entrance to the emir’s palace in Kano city, disrupting planned activities.

Bichi was shocked by the development, calling it an intentional effort to disrupt peace in the state.

Bichi said, “We were genuinely surprised to wake up and find that the police had sealed off the entrance to the palace of Kano Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II.”

He also claimed that the directive to barricade the palace originated from the Federal Government. “What surprises us most is that Kano remains peaceful, yet a small group of individuals supported by Abuja are determined to disrupt this peace,” he remarked.

Bichi stated that the Emir intended to accompany his newly appointed district head of Bichi, Wamban Kano, to his district for prayers and ceremonial events. “The emir planned to escort his district head of Bichi, Wamban Kano, pray with him there, and return afterwards. We were all invited but then awoke to this situation,” he explained.

When questioned about the purpose of the barricade, Bichi explained, “We inquired and were told it was an order from higher authorities. Who are these ‘higher authorities’? It’s the Federal Government.”

Despite the disruption, the Kano State Government pledged to continue with the scheduled activities and maintain peace in the state. “In Kano, we are committed to preserving peace; it will prevail, and no one will come here and disrupt that,” Bichi declared.

He further stressed that the Emir’s decision to appoint the district head remains unchanged. “The Emir has appointed the district head, and that decision is final. He will be escorted to his position, and whenever he is prepared to assume it, we will accompany him—there’s no turning back,” he concluded.