Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State says he has received a letter from a coalition of 35 civil society groups urging him to start the process of dethroning the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

In a statement signed on Thursday by Ganduje’s spokesperson,  Abba Anwar, the groups under the umbrella of the Kano Concerned Civil Society Groups say their request is in the interest of protecting the sanctity of the rule of law and the mandate given to the governor by Kano electorate.

The letter was titled “Kano State Emirate Council Law, 2019: Demand Letter,” and signed by Ibrahim Ali, Chairman of the Coalition. It added that the groups wrote to the governor over their concerns on the face-off between the Kano State government and the Emir.

“The coalition of 35 Civil Society Groups under the group – Umbrella Of Kano Concerned Civil Society Groups – are curiously studying the unfolding events in the running of Kano State affairs, especially in recent time, as it relates to the lingering face-off between the Government of Kano State on one hand and the Emir of Kano on the other hand”.

“Reminding specifically that, matters that arose from the aftermath of Kano State High Court decision nullifying the Kano State Emirate Council Law, that was enacted by the State House of Assembly, which eventually paved way for the enactment of another Law, creating additional four First Class Emirates, which also empowers the Governor to take disciplinary measures against any erring Emir”.

“Soon afterward, the same Law which repeals all the existing Emirate Councils Laws, and consolidates it in the Kano State Emirate Council Law 2019, was again been challenged first by the purportedly five kingmakers from one of the 5 Emirates established by the said law,” the letter read in part.

The group suggested that with the recent decision of Kano State High Court, the governor should proceed and ensure the take-off of the Council of Emirs in the State.

They added that if the Emir of Kano fails to submit to the authority of the government of Kano State, Ganduje should to act strictly in accordance with the provision of Kano Emirate Council Law 2019 in order to move the state forward.