The recent court judgment on the Kano royal tussle has been described as an over-judicialisation of Nigeria’s traditional royal system, as it abused the country’s cultural system.
In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng, Okanlawon Gaffar, a public commentator, maintained that the matter should not be taken to the court in the first place, adding that it gives room for the governors to remove monarchs at will.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf removed Aminu Ado Bayero and announced the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi, a development currently being challenged at the court.
To him, the Emirship position represents a different leadership model in which who gets to the position is determined by culture and tradition, not the court.
His comment reads:
“It is the judicialisation of our system, where the Emirship or who gets to rule the people is being determined by a court of law, as we have currently seen in Kano state, where a governor deposed a former Emir Sanusi, and Bayero was installed. Then, we have a new governor, Yusuf, who also deposed the current Emir.
“What would stop the next governor from another party saying the APC deposing Sanusi and reinstalling Bayero? The court is supposed to be a space where everyone is equal. Granting the damages to Bayero. We can’t say this is fair or not, the principle that has been exhibited is also the fact that our traditional system is now a mockery of its glory. This does not mean that our traditional system should be above the law principle.
“However, it represents a different kind of leadership, where who gets to be in that position has been determined by culture and tradition. So, we find ourselves in a situation where a court is determining who gets to be there and who gets to be deposed. Awarding judgment because they have been deposed is a mockery of our traditional system.”
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