In a latest twist to the saga, the Kano state government is issuing an apology to the national security adviser to the president, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, over allegations the deputy governor of the state made which seem to suggest the NSA is taking an active role in the ongoing tussle over the Kano emirate. In a press briefing at the government house on Sunday, the deputy governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, retracted the accusations, stating that the government had been deeply misled.
“We apologize to the National Security Adviser, his person and office for any embarrassment and inconveniences this might have caused him”.
“We are human and can err at any time. On my behalf and the Governor of Kano state, I want to assure the NSA that we are assuring him of our continued support and cooperation in discharging his duty as the NSA.”
“We were really worried and shocked when we found out that he was not behind the plan to forcefully impose a dethroned Emir on Kano, so we apologize,” the deputy governor said.
Gwarzo had previously accused the NSA of being behind the dramatic return of the dethroned 15th emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero. The former emir returned to a section of the palace he was ordered to vacate with a heavy military presence and rumour swirled that he had the backing of federal forces, a claim the Kano deputy governor gave credence to. Ribadu, on his part, denied any involvement in the matter and threatened legal action against the deputy governor if a retraction and an apology was not offered in 24 hours.
In a strongly worded letter to the deputy governor, counsel to the NSA also demanded a public apology in five national dailies with wide national coverage and on popular online platforms as failure to do so, Ribadu would be compelled to seek redress in a court of law.
