By

Kabiru Danladi Lawanti

There is something about us, mutanen Arewa. Whenever power shift south, we start lamentations, accusing the leader, who is from the south, of nepotism or initiating policies that are deliberately aimed at destroying our region.

We bought into this idea, we write them repeatedly. From 1999-2007, from 2010-2015 and now 2023-date. We always write this giving reference to our voting power.

Recently, I read an article like that comparing our voting power and support for Tinubu with other regions of the country. For how long can we continue these lamentations? When are we going to stop the lamentations and start acting?

We need to shift the discourse from an overemphasis on population-driven electoral power to a more strategic focus on economic productivity and revenue generation. The viability and strength of Arewa are not necessarily determined by the sheer size of our population, but by how effectively that population is harnessed for economic growth, innovation, and wealth creation.

Arewa’s fixation on political dominance through demographic advantage has often overshadowed the more critical question that we need to be asking ourselves.

How do we convert our vast human and natural resources into sustainable development outcomes?

While concerns about the inequities of political appointments and perceived nepotism under the current administration of Tinubu are valid, persistent lamentation over political spoils can become counterproductive if not accompanied by proactive strategies for economic transformation.

What happened to Arewa after all these years of political power? Or what becomes of the K states after every election season? What happened to Jigawa or Bauchi? Is it enough to just have a Badaru or Tuggar as compensation for the over 5m we gave the President?

What is required is a change of strategy. A deliberate and coordinated effort to leverage our expansive landmass and youthful population to drive industrialization, technological innovation, and inclusive economic growth. Our Governors need to be wiser. Have you ever checked the sum of the FAAC Allocation coming to our states and local governments? What are we doing with these monies?

In this regard, lessons abound from the developmental trajectories of nations like China and India, both of which have demonstrated how demographic advantage can be transformed into competitive advantage through disciplined policy, strategic investments in education and infrastructure, and a clear vision for economic self-reliance.

The path to power lies not merely in numbers – voting power, but in what those numbers produce after elections.

For me, I have learnt my lessons. What we need is not political power at the centre, but what we do with the power at the centre and what our Governors are doing with the huge resources coming to them from Abuja.

The agitation for removing Tinubu in 2027 can be compared to the agitations of removing the military in 1999 or Jonathan in 2015. They are driven by elite interests, not necessarily for situations we found ourselves in Arewa.

By Tijjani Sarki

The invitation extended to the Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, by the Police Headquarters in Abuja for an investigative meeting raises several critical concerns that warrant immediate attention. This follows the tragic incident of attack on the Emir on Sallah day, March 30, 2025, which led to the death of one person and many others injured. While it is important to recognize the diligent efforts of the Kano State Police Command, which is actively investigating the incident, the Abuja invitation raises questions about whether such interference might inadvertently disrupt and undermine local investigative efforts.

The Ongoing Investigation by the Kano State Police Command

On April 2, 2025, Kano’s Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, established an 8-member Special Investigation Panel (SIP) to probe the assassination attempt on Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II after the Eid prayers. The panel’s mandate includes investigating the root causes of this tragic event and addressing any alleged violations of the Kano State Police Command’s ban on Durbar during the Sallah celebrations.

The Kano Police have made significant inroads in their investigation, arresting two individuals Usman Sagiru, aged 20, and Nasir Idris, aged 35 in connection with the crime. While the final reports are being awaited, it is evident that the investigation is progressing smoothly within the local jurisdiction, with the Kano Police having the necessary resources, context, and expertise to handle the case effectively.

The Invitation from Police Headquarters: A Cause for Concern

It is, therefore, troubling that the Police Headquarters in Abuja has issued an invitation to the Emir of Kano to attend an investigative meeting scheduled for April 8, 2025. The invitation, dated April 4, 2025, requests the Emir’s presence at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, raising several issues regarding the necessity and purpose of such an interference.

Potential Disruption to Local Investigations

A primary concern surrounding this invitation is its potential to undermine the ongoing efforts of the Kano State Police Command. The Special Investigation Panel was specifically created to address the matter within the state, where the incident occurred and where the local authorities possess intimate knowledge of the region and its dynamics. The involvement of the Police high command, Abuja could lead to confusion, duplication of efforts, or delays in the investigation’s progress.

Further interference, without clear coordination, risks causing conflicting investigations, which could not only lead to inefficiencies but also undermine the clarity of the process.

Lack of Clear Justification for the Invitation

The invitation letter from the Police Headquarters in Abuja describes the meeting as an “investigation meeting” but fails to specify the Emir’s exact role or the nature of his involvement. The letter asks the Emir to travel to Abuja, an impractical distance from Kano on April 8, 2025. Given that the incident occurred within the Emir’s jurisdiction, and considering the local authorities are already managing the case, it remains unclear why the FHQ feels it is necessary to summon the Emir for an in-person meeting.

To further complicate matters, the Kano Police Command has already invited the Shamakin Kano, Alhaji Wada Isyaku the senior aide responsible for managing palace affairs for questioning about his

alleged defiance of the Durbar ban. The outcome of this invitation is also being awaited, adding to the confusion surrounding the investigation and raising concerns about coordination between the Kano Police and the Police Force Headquarters.

A Call for Clear Communication and Coordination

Given the restrictions already imposed by the Kano State Police Command such as the Durbar ban, announced by CP Bakori on March 28, 2025—it is critical that both local and federal law enforcement agencies collaborate effectively. Clear communication and coordinated efforts between all stakeholders are vital to resolving this matter swiftly and efficiently.

The Investigation Meeting: A Potential Disrespect to the Emirate and Traditional Institution

The invitation that was extended to the Emir of Kano for an investigative meeting seems unnecessary and, perhaps, demeaning to the revered Emir and the traditional institutions. This move risks complicating and compounding the investigation further, potentially providing an opportunity for individuals with ulterior motives to exploit the situation and sow discord within the state. A more effective approach would be for the Police Headquarters to respect the processes already in place within Kano, offering support where needed without overstepping the local jurisdiction’s authority.

Conclusion

The tragic death of Surajo Rabiu and the injuries sustained by Aminu Suleman demand swift justice, but it is essential that the investigation be conducted with clarity, transparency, and respect for local authority. The Kano State Police Command has already made significant progress in addressing the matter and deserves the space to complete its work without unnecessary distractions. External interference from the Police Headquarters in Abuja risks disrupting this process, and it is crucial for all relevant authorities to ensure clear communication, coordination, and respect for the integrity of the local investigation.

Tijjani Sarki
Public Policy Advocate and Analyst
Vice President, Human Rights Watch and

Youth Empowerment Foundation
April 5, 2025

The recent move by the Kano State Police Command to summon His Highness Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II for questioning, ostensibly over a Sallah homage visit that included no horses, no title holders, and no formal procession, marks a dangerous low point in the intersection of politics, culture, and governance in Nigeria.

Let us be clear from the outset: this was not a Durbar. It bore none of the hallmarks of the historic Hausa cavalry pageant—no traditional titleholders, no palace horses, no regalia-laden parade through the city. What occurred was a quiet homage—a ride in a car to visit his mother and the state governor, carried out in full compliance with police directives banning Durbar-related horse riding.

Yet the police, in a move that has shocked many observers, have initiated investigations and summoned not just palace aides but the Emir himself. This is not about law or public safety. This is about power, visibility, and intimidation.

*The Federal Hand Behind the Summons*

Behind this theatrical display of “law enforcement” lies a more calculated political agenda. The police are widely understood to be acting on the orders of powerful figures within the federal government—individuals who have never accepted Emir Sanusi’s return to the throne after his earlier removal for political reasons.

Sanusi’s reinstatement, made in accordance with tradition and supported by significant public sentiment, has clearly unsettled elements within Nigeria’s ruling class. His voice—intellectual, critical, and unapologetically reformist—represents everything that political gatekeepers fear: a monarch who cannot be bought, silenced, or domesticated.

*The Politicization of Security Forces*

It is a dangerous sign when state security agencies are used as tools of political retribution. The police have failed to distinguish between a symbolic act of cultural duty and an act of rebellion. Worse still, their intervention appears timed and tailored to undermine Sanusi’s legitimacy, casting a shadow of alleged defiance over what was, in reality, a subdued and respectful observance of Sallah tradition.

This is a misuse of police power, and it calls into question the neutrality of state institutions that are supposed to serve all Nigerians, not the political ambitions of a few.

*Undermining Tradition to Secure Power*

The true tragedy here is not just the police action—it is the broader erosion of Nigeria’s cultural autonomy and federal balance. The Kano Emirate, like other traditional institutions, carries centuries of historical legitimacy and moral authority. When such institutions become battlegrounds for federal vendettas, the consequences are severe: civic trust erodes, cultural dignity is diminished, and the thin fabric of national unity is strained even further.

In colonial times, British administrators feared the influence of Emirs and tried to curtail their power through indirect rule and surveillance. It is disheartening to see a postcolonial Nigerian state reenacting that same script—this time with security agents and political handlers instead of colonial residents.

*A Legacy Larger than Power*

What is it about Sanusi that provokes such disproportionate fear? Perhaps it is his refusal to be silent. Perhaps it is the uncomfortable truth that his legitimacy does not come from state machinery, but from the people, from tradition, and from a moral clarity that has made him a rare figure in Nigeria’s compromised elite class.

Whatever the cause, one thing is clear: this police action has backfired. In seeking to diminish Sanusi, the state has elevated him. In attempting to humiliate him, they have reaffirmed his place as a symbol of dignity under siege.

*Conclusion: The State Cannot Police Conscience*

In a democracy, cultural expression must not be criminalized. Tradition must not be trampled under the boots of federal anxiety. And most importantly, conscience must never be summoned like a suspect.

The people of Kano know who their Emir is. The world is watching. And history will remember not the orchestrated summons, but the quiet courage of a man who chose duty over fear, dignity over silence.

Olu Damilola writes from Kano.