President Muhammadu Buhari has responded to the allegation of his involvement in the removal of Muhammadu Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, which was levied against him by the former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Kwankwaso on Wednesday.
Senator Kwankwaso during an interview with BBC Hausa had said that “Kano state government officials have been saying they were directed to dethrone Mr Sanusi ll. Buhari instructed them.”
He also alleged that Buhari “doesn’t interfere where his intervention is needed but interferes on issues he is supposed to be neutral about.”
However, Buhari debunked the rumour of his involvement in state’s affairs and dethronement of Sanusi in a press statement released by Garba Shehu, presidential media aide on Wednesday.
“The President does not have a history of intervening in the affairs of any state in the country unless the issue at hand is of national consequence. On such matters which impinge on national security, he has a duty of involvement as the law stipulates.
“As outlined in the Constitution, the appointment or removal of emirs and other traditional leaders is strictly within the jurisdiction of state governments. It is unfair and disingenuous of opposition politicians to try to link the situation in Kano State to the federal government and the Nigerian President.
“Although a retired general and former military Head of State, President Buhari clearly understands that under the current democratic dispensation, the government at the centre cannot read instructions or twist the arms of all or any of the 36 state governments making up the federation. They all have their powers specified under the Constitution,” the Presidency added.
The president then commended the people of Kano for maintaining peace within the state.
“President Buhari commends the people of Kano for keeping calm in the past few days of the dethronement announcement.
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“He prays that the will of Allah will be done at all times and that the emirate/state and its people continue to experience progress irrespective of who is on the throne,” it said.