No consensus can remove Emir Bayero from stool – Aminu Babba Danagundi

Alhaji Aminu Babba Danagundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of Kano emirate, is one of the key figures challenging the Kano State Government over the repeal of the emirate law and the removal of Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir of Kano. In this interview with Weekend Trust, he speaks on the case before the Supreme Court, calls for consensus, and his expectations.

You are aware that there are suggestions that the Kano Emirate crisis could be resolved through political consensus, especially following Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s alignment with the APC. What is your reaction?

As far as I know, we are in court, and the matter is now before the Supreme Court. We are waiting for the Supreme Court to give its judgment. I do not know of any consensus process or who will initiate it, whether the state government or the court.

What I know clearly is that there is no consensus that would remove the Ado Bayero family or Aminu Ado Bayero from being the Emir of Kano.

Are you saying there is no possibility of an out-of-court settlement?

I don’t see how that will happen. Some people are assuming that because the governor is now aligned with the Federal Government, everyone will just sit down and withdraw the case. That is not realistic.

Ado Bayero served for over 50 years as Emir of Kano. Throughout that period, he committed no offence. He did nothing wrong. In my view, his son deserves to succeed him as Emir of Kano, not someone from another family.That is my position, and I am very serious about it.

What are your hopes regarding the Supreme Court case?

My hope and prayer is that the governor, His Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf, will see reason and appoint Aminu Ado Bayero as the Emir of Kano. That is what I want to see, and that is why we are in court.

What exactly are you asking the Supreme Court to decide?

What I am expecting from the court is success. I challenged the process through which the Kano State Government repealed the existing emirate law and enacted a new one.

My case is not about the removal of an emir in itself; it is about due process. If the government wanted to abolish that law, it was required to follow due process, including conducting public hearings, because the law directly affects people like us.

Some legal analysts argue that emirate matters are chieftaincy issues and should not be entertained under fundamental rights. How do you respond?

I am aware of those arguments and previous Supreme Court decisions. But my case is different. I did not go to court over the removal of an emir as a chieftaincy dispute. I went to court on the grounds of my fundamental rights.

The repeal of that law affected me personally. Under the new law, I was removed from my position, and that affects my constitutional rights. That is why I approached the court.

How do you think this crisis will eventually be resolved?

I honestly do not know how it will be resolved. That is for the court to decide. I am waiting to see how the Supreme Court will handle it and what judgment it will give.

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