Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has condemned the dethronement of the Kano Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II, saying it was unconstitutional.
He also alleged that Buhari was aware of the decision to remove the former emir but remained silent.
Kwankwaso, who spoke to the BBC Hausa Service monitored in Kaduna, condemned vehemently the action of the Kano State government and the action of the President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said; “First of all, it was a very sad day in Kano, Nigeria and the world because His Highness Emir Sanusi is a global citizen. From what we’ve seen and from what we’ve heard, no responsible government will take that kind of decision taken by the Kano State government.
“But importantly, Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic states that even if you despise a person, you should allow him to choose where to stay. Considering remarks made by those close to Mr. President that he does not interfere in misunderstandings, that he keeps mute whenever there are such conflicts…we, especially in Kano, look at this attitude of Mr. President differently.
“Where he was supposed to intervene, he never did and where he was not supposed to intervene, you find him intervening. Here, government officials are saying that they were instructed to depose Emir Sanusi.”
Also speaking, a constitutional lawyer, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, told TheGuardian, that the banishment of Sanusi was unconstitutional.
According to him, by the action, Sanusi had been unduly and wrongfully denied his constitutional rights to respect for the dignity of his person; the right to assemble freely and associate with other persons including the people of Kano Emirate; and the right to move freely throughout Nigeria and reside in any part.
He said, while the governor has the constitutional power to remove the emir, it must be done “within the circumference of the law and due process must be followed.”
Meanwhile, Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Ibrahim Mukhtar yesterday said the state government was not responsible for Sanusi’s detention and banishment.
According to Mukthar, the content of the deposition letter, which Sanusi countersigned, did not contain any clause suggesting banishment or detention.
He therefore maintained that security operatives should be held accountable for the whereabouts of the dethroned emir.
