The federal government has disassociated itself from the deposition of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the emir of Kano.
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday said President Muhammadu Buhari had no hand in the dethronement of Sanusi.
Sanusi was deposed by the Kano state government over allegations of insubordination on Monday and consequently exiled to Nasarrawa.
Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, who appointed Sanusi as emir in 2014, had alleged that the president Buhari ordered the removal of the ex-monarch.
But in a statement on Wednesday, Shehu said all conjectures that the deposition of Sanusi was orchestrated by the president was ”untrue, malicious and politically motivated”.
”The President does not have a history of intervening in the affairs of any state in the country, unless the issue at hand is of national consequence. On such matters which impinge on national security, he has a duty of involvement as the law stipulates,” he said.
”As outlined in the Constitution, the appointment or removal of emirs and other traditional leaders is strictly within the jurisdiction of state governments. It is unfair and disingenuous of opposition politicians to try to link the situation in Kano State to the federal government and the Nigerian President.
”Although a retired General and former Military Head of State, President Buhari clearly understands that under the current democratic dispensation, the government at the centre cannot read instructions or twist the arms of all or any of the 36 state governments making up the federation. They all have their powers specified under the Constitution.
”President Buhari commends the people of Kano for keeping calm in the past few days of the dethronement announcement. He prays that the will of Allah will be done at all times, and that the emirate/state and its people continue to experience progress irrespective of who is on the throne.”
The former emir of Kano was moved to Nasarawa against his wish after being deposed, his lawyer said on Tuesday.