The Kano State Government has accused the Federal Government of involvement in the blockade of the Kano Emir’s palace on Friday, December 6.

Armed police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) had reportedly sealed the palace entrance, creating a tense atmosphere in the area.

Reports indicate that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II was scheduled to address economists on the controversy surrounding tax reform bills before the National Assembly. He was also set to accompany the newly appointed district head, Munir Sanusi, to Bichi. Despite the blockade, the emir held court at the outer palace and later led Friday congregational prayers at the Kano Central Mosque outside the palace.

Reacting to the incident, Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, Secretary to the State Government, expressed outrage during an interview on local radio, pointing fingers at the Federal Government.

“We were really surprised waking up to this development with police sealing off the entrance to the palace of Kano Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II," Bichi said.

“What surprises us the most is that Kano is peaceful but it’s just a few people that have backing from Abuja that don’t want Kano to be peaceful. The emir was to escort his district head of Bichi, Wamban Kano, pray with him there and then come back. We were all invited and then we woke up to this. We asked the reason, and they told us it was an order given to them from above. Who is there above, it’s the Federal Government.

“We in Kano have resolved to stay in peace, peace will reign and nobody will come to Kano and destabilize that. The emir has appointed the district head, and it stands. He will take him to his place and whenever he is ready to go there, we are going there with him, no going back.”