From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
Tension is gradually brewing in the ancient city of Kano as two monarchs, Aminu Ado Bayero and Muhammadu Sanusi, lay claim to the traditional stool of the Kano Emirate.
Sunday Sun investigation revealed that both monarchs involved in the historical dispute are presently lodged at different locations in the metropolis, surrounded by a tribe of their loyalists and supporters who are gradually becoming agitated by the turn of events.
While Aminu Ado Bayero re-entered the state last night escorted by heavy security guards, Sanusi returned to the Emir’s palace at about 1:14a.m on the same night escorted by Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf, his Deputy, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, and some members of the executive.
Sunday Sun observed that at the Emir’s palace inside the city, there were hundreds of local hunters armed with various clubs, sticks and knives purportedly serving as additional guards to Sanusi in the face of a very light presence of regular policemen at the palace. On the other hand, at the palace annex at State Road where Aminu Ado Bayero is lodged and operating from, there is a heavy presence of regular officers, including an army van parked at the entrance of the gate.
As part of measures to ensure the palace rumble did not escalate into a breach of public peace, security agencies in the state, namely police, army, DSS, Immigration, Customs, and NSCDC, among others have been holed in a meeting in the morning.
At the end of the meeting, the security chiefs proceeded to hold a close-door meeting with Aminu Ado Bayero at his lodge and later with Governor Yusuf, who is currently at the palace of the Emir.
Meanwhile, traffic on the streets in the state capital had remained a bit lighter while markets and commercial activities have continued unhindered by the unfolding development even as the trouble brewing in the state has been the most common topic of discussion among many residents.