By Tijjani Sarki
I have watched the unfolding events around Kano with growing concern, and I must confess that some of the recent developments leave me deeply worried about where our beloved state may be heading. The reported destruction of banners bearing the image of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is not merely an act of vandalism, in the present atmosphere, it carries the danger of becoming another spark in an already sensitive environment.
I find it difficult to understand how destroying a banner can advance the cause of anyone involved in the ongoing Emirship dispute. A banner is only a symbol. It cannot determine who occupies the Emir’s throne, settle a legal dispute or change the constitutional responsibilities of government.
What worries me even more is the possibility that the emotions surrounding the Emirship controversy are gradually moving beyond legitimate disagreement into a contest of authority.
Kano must be careful.
Very careful.
I welcome the reported condemnation by Emir Aminu Ado Bayero of the destruction of the Governor’s banners and his reported directive that the damaged banners be repaired or replaced. His reported reminder that traditional rulers are “fathers of the people, not politicians” is a message that deserves respect.
But such a message must also be reflected consistently in conduct.
I am equally concerned that some public actions and pronouncements associated with the Emir and his representatives have increasingly been perceived as challenging or undermining the authority of the Kano State Government. Whatever the intention may be, such a perception is dangerous. In a state already experiencing heightened emotions over the Emirship question, any appearance of confrontation between traditional authority and constituted government can unnecessarily inflame public sentiment.
His Highness Emir Aminu Ado Bayero should therefore exercise the greatest restraint and refrain from any action or public posture that could reasonably be interpreted as undermining the constituted authority of the Kano State Governor. This is not about denying the dignity of the traditional institution, rather, it is about protecting that dignity from being drawn into an avoidable confrontation with elected government.
We must remember a fundamental principle: we are all operating under the law.
The Emirship dispute is before the courts. The Supreme Court has fixed 19 April 2027 for further hearing. Until the judiciary reaches its final determination, no supporter, institution or public authority should behave as though the matter has already been conclusively settled.
The same principle applies to government.
No elected government is above the law. No traditional institution is above the law. No political party is above the law. No individual citizen is above the law.
If there is disagreement over a government decision, the proper response is through lawful channels judicial review, appeal, dialogue or other constitutionally recognised means.
Not destruction.
Not provocation.
Not confrontation.
I therefore ask, with genuine concern: Can tearing down a Governor’s banner settle the Emirship dispute? Can confrontation replace the judgment of the Supreme Court? Can hostility between institutions bring peace to Kano?
The answer is obvious.
Kano has survived political disagreements, institutional tensions and difficult moments before. But we should not deliberately create another crisis simply because we have failed to restrain our emotions.
The Emirship institution is deeply respected. The Governor’s constitutional mandate is equally real. These two institutions do not need to become enemies.
Traditional authority and constituted authority can coexist.
Indeed, they must coexist.
Let the lawyers argue before the courts. Let government discharge its constitutional responsibilities. Let traditional institutions preserve their dignity and neutrality. And let citizens refuse to become instruments of confrontation.
I say this not as an opponent of any side, but as a concerned citizen who believes that Kano is bigger than the Emirship dispute, and peace is more valuable than victory in any institutional contest.
This is the time to lower the temperature.
This is the time to respect the law.
And above all, this is the time for Kano to choose restraint before unnecessary civic tension becomes something far more difficult to control.