Kano Emirship Tussle: What Ribadu, Abba Yusuf Discussed At Abuja Meeting

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has tendered an apology to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, after the latter was alleged of meddling in the Kano emirship tussle.

The Kano governor apologised to the NSA during a meeting that was held behind closed doors in his office in Abuja on Thursday, this medium learned.

Yusuf had dethroned the 15th Emir of Kano Aminu Ado Bayero and reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II following the enactment of the Kano State Emirates Council Law 2024.

The governor instructed the police to arrest Bayero after his return to Kano and occupation of the Nassarawa palace, citing concerns about escalating tension in the state.

This led to the deployment of security operatives to the palace, giving the impression that he had the federal government’s backing.

The deputy governor of the state, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, had accused Ribadu of backing Ado Bayero’s return to Kano after his deposition.

The NSA had denied the allegation and threatened to sue Gwarzo, to whom he gave an ultimatum to apologise.

The deputy governor had since apologised to Ribadu, attributing the allegation to misinterpretation.

Although the governor described his meeting yesterday with the NSA as a “fruitful engagement”, sources privy to what was discussed said the governor apologised verbally to Ribadu over what transpired last week.

“The governor and the NSA spoke heart-to-heart in Hausa. He appealed verbally to the NSA over the comment made by his deputy last week.

“The governor felt that apologising to him in the media was not enough, hence the reason for the personal visit to Abuja,” this medium learned.

Also, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor’s spokesman, in a statement yesterday, confirmed that the Governor retracted the allegation and offered an apology to Ribadu.

He said the meeting lasted for more than an hour and the duo discussed the situation in the state since the abrogation of five new emirates and the reinstatement of Sanusi as emir.

The statement reads, “Recognizing the respected professional background and integrity of the NSA throughout his time as an officer and anti-corruption campaigner, the state deemed it necessary to retract the allegation and offer a sincere apology.”