Kano emirate dispute: CSOs urge Tinubu to prevent escalation

The Kano Patriotic CSOs Coalition Forum (KPCF) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in rising political and social tensions in Kano State, warning that the situation could escalate into a wider crisis and social unrest.

The coalition made the call in an open letter to President Tinubu dated October 8, 2026, titled: “Kano at a Crossroads: An Urgent Call for Immediate Presidential Intervention to Prevent Crisis and Social Upheaval.”

The KPCF said it was particularly concerned about recent developments involving the Kano Emirate, political activities and alleged inflammatory statements and actions by some political, traditional and community figures.

The coalition described Kano as a politically active and socially diverse society whose people had historically demonstrated resilience, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

It, however, warned that the current political season, combined with continuing developments surrounding the Kano Emirate, had made inflammatory statements, provocative actions and political confrontations potentially dangerous.

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The coalition expressed concern over a statement attributed to Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, saying that public statements by prominent traditional and community figures should be guided by the need to promote peace, unity, tolerance and social cohesion.

It also raised concern over a viral video allegedly showing Hon. Aminu Abdullahi Warkal, an NDC candidate for the Kano State House of Assembly representing Gwale Constituency, displaying what appeared to be a pump-action rifle during a political gathering or rally in Janbulo, Gwale.

According to the KPCF, the Kano State Police Command subsequently invited Warkal for questioning in connection with the alleged incident, reportedly citing possible violations of relevant firearms laws and concerns relating to public peace and security.

The coalition stressed that the allegations remained matters for the appropriate authorities to establish in accordance with due process.

It called on all political actors, traditional institutions, religious leaders, community influencers and their supporters to exercise restraint, warning against hate speech, inflammatory rhetoric, threats, intimidation and actions capable of provoking violence.

Durbar incident

The coalition also expressed concern over the reported incident surrounding a recent Durbar organised by the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.

The KPCF said violence was reported during the event and that campaign posters and billboards bearing the identities of President Tinubu and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf were reportedly destroyed by persons alleged to be supporters of the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.

It acknowledged reports that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero subsequently personally apologised to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf over the incident.

The coalition described the reported apology as an important gesture towards de-escalating the already heated atmosphere, but said an apology alone might not be sufficient to address the broader concerns arising from the incident.

It urged relevant authorities to establish the facts surrounding the incident and ensure that anyone found to have committed an offence was dealt with according to law, irrespective of political, traditional or social status.

The KPCF said political campaign materials were part of democratic expression and that their unlawful destruction, like other acts of violence or intimidation, should not be allowed to become normalised.

Emirate dispute

The coalition said it was particularly disturbed by what it described as the continuing politicisation of the Kano Emirate issue.

It acknowledged that the dispute had generated strong emotions across Kano State and that aspects of the matter had been subjected to judicial consideration, including proceedings before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The KPCF therefore appealed to political appointees and government officials at both federal and Kano State levels to refrain from making inflammatory statements or taking partisan positions on matters before the courts.

It said the judiciary must be allowed to perform its constitutional responsibility without political pressure, intimidation or public mobilisation.

The coalition urged all stakeholders to allow the courts to determine the legal questions before them and respect the outcome of the judicial process.

Nine-point appeal to Tinubu

The KPCF asked President Tinubu to take nine specific steps to prevent the situation in Kano from escalating.

The coalition first urged the President to urgently intervene in the emerging situation and encourage all parties to exercise maximum restraint.

It also asked him to direct relevant security and intelligence agencies to closely monitor developments and take preventive measures against violence, intimidation, hate speech and destruction of property.

Third, the coalition urged President Tinubu to call on political appointees at both federal and Kano State levels to refrain from unnecessary involvement in the Emirate dispute, particularly on matters before the courts.

Fourth, it asked the President to reaffirm the independence of the judiciary and encourage all parties to respect judicial proceedings and decisions concerning the Kano Emirate.

Fifth, the coalition called for political parties, campaign organisations and their supporters to be protected equally, while the destruction of political posters, billboards and campaign materials should be investigated and addressed according to law.

Sixth, it urged the President to ensure that all persons responsible for violence, regardless of political or traditional affiliation, were held accountable under the law.

Seventh, the KPCF asked the President to encourage traditional, religious, political and community leaders to publicly commit themselves to peace and responsible communication throughout the political campaign period.

Eighth, it called for an inclusive peace and stakeholders’ dialogue in Kano involving the Kano State Government, Federal Government representatives, traditional institutions, political parties, security agencies, religious leaders, youth and women representatives, and civil society organisations.

Ninth, the coalition urged political actors to focus their campaigns on development and governance rather than personalities, traditional institutions or matters capable of dividing the people of Kano.

‘Kano must not slide into crisis’

The KPCF warned that Kano was too important to Nigeria to be allowed to descend into avoidable confrontation.

It described the ancient city as a major commercial, cultural, political and social centre whose stability had implications beyond the state, saying a crisis in Kano could affect neighbouring states and the wider northern region.

The coalition described the present situation as a critical early-warning stage and said decisive and impartial intervention could prevent a more serious crisis.

It appealed to President Tinubu to use the moral authority and constitutional powers of his office to send a clear message that peace, democratic participation, freedom of expression, respect for traditional institutions, protection of political rights and the rule of law must prevail over political rivalry.

The KPCF further urged all parties to sheathe their swords, avoid provocative statements and actions, and place the peace and stability of Kano above personal, political or institutional interests.

“Kano belongs to all its people. Its peace must not become a casualty of political competition or institutional disagreements,” the coalition said.

The forum said it remained committed to working with the Federal and Kano State Governments, security agencies, traditional institutions, political parties and other stakeholders to promote peaceful coexistence, democratic participation and respect for the rule of law.

It urged President Tinubu to act before “tension becomes crisis and crisis becomes conflict.”

Signatories and supporting organisations

The letter was signed on behalf of the KPCF by its conveners, Hassan Ibrahim Gama, Mustapha Muhammed Chiroma and Peter Hassan Tijani.

The coalition’s listed members and supporting organisations include Friend of the Community Organisation (FOCO), Community Rights Initiative of Nigeria (CORIN), New Ethics for Empowerment and Development Initiative (NEEDIN), Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), Rural-Urban Slums Development Initiative (RUSDI), Touch and Care Foundation (TOCAF), Muna Helping Hand Foundation (MHHF), Enlightenment and Empowerment of Northern Women Initiative, Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCIAN), Alkali Ahmad Center for Development, Society for Child Support and Economic Empowerment (SOCSEE), Cardinal Aid Development Support Initiative, Stand for Peace Initiative, Sustainable Dynamic and Human Development Initiative, Women Gender Developers (WOGEND), Ansar Women Development, Be My Guide Development Initiative, Center for Empowerment of Older Persons and the Vulnerable (CEOPAV), International Human Rights Network (IHRN-Nigeria), Human Rights Watch and Youths Empowerment Foundation, Mari-Care Foundation for Widows, Single Parents, Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Mercy Helpline Initiative, Sheriff Orphanage and Charity Home Foundation, WAZOBIA International Women and Children Foundation, Women’s Social and Leadership Development Initiative (WSLDI), Standup for Women Society, Support for Women and Teenage Children (SWATCH), Women and Orphans Charity Initiative, ABC Road Safety Project Initiative, Sayyidatu Wal Adfal Foundation, Women Empowerment, Leadership, Education, Advancement and Development Initiative (WE-LEAD), League for Societal Protection Against Drugs Abuse (LESPADA), Voice of the Hopeful Enlightenment and Development Initiative (VOHEDI), Lifeline Initiative for Widows Empowerment and Economic Development (LIWEED), Voice and Accountability Platform (VAP), Human Right and Community Initiative, Ummatee Centre for the Promotion of Public Education, Accountability and Social Safety (UMMATEE-C4PASS), Halliru Memorial Youth Development and Empowerment Initiative (AYDI), Inter-tribe Community Support Forum, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Albino Cluster Association, Rogo Concern Citizens, Youth Awareness Foundation on Drug Abuse (YAFODA), Danbatta Development Forum (DDF), Community Support for Social Accountability Initiative (COMSSI), Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), One Kano Agenda, Network for Environmental Safety and Society Development (NESSD), Women Widows and Orphans Development Initiative (WWODI), Mata Iyayen Al’umma Foundation, Karaye Community Development Association, Sustainable Dynamic Human Development Initiative (SDHDI), Women for Women Initiative, Kiru Community Development Association, Wudil Association Cooperative, Youths and Women Sustainable Development Initiative (YASDI), Habib Community Education Initiative, Adolescents Girls, Children and Research Project (GCRP), Yadfulde Kiru Local Government Association and Development, Yanoko Youth Development Association, War Against Injustice, Centre for Gender Based Violence Advocacy, KAF Care Foundation, Masses First International Organization (MFI), Global Youth and Women Support Initiative (GLOYWSI), Society for Women and Child Health Initiative (SWACHI), New Turn for Youth Enthusiasm and Development (N-YED), Karaye Initiative Forum, Initiative for Health Rescue and Risk Reduction (IHRAR), Empowerment for Vulnerable Women and Children International (EVWACH International), Albarka Women Development Association, Community Health Initiatives and Society Development (CHISOD), Media Advocacy for Accountability Sustainable Initiative, Public Health Promotion Initiative, Nigerian Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security Agenda, Kano, Support Group for Good Governance Organisation (SG3), Gyarakayanka Development Association, Annur Health and Peace Community Development Initiative, Development Insight Hub, WAZOBIA Conflict Resolution and Peace Advocacy Initiative (WACORPAI), Non-Formal Development for Education and Health Initiatives (NDEHI), National Association of Persons With Physical Disabilities, Kano Chapter (NAPWPD), Community Education and Health Promotion Initiatives (CEHPI), Concerns Mothers Association of Kano, Joint Action Campaign for Development, Northern Youth Concerned, Gwarzo Initiative Forum, Consolidated Ajingi Development Association, Madobi Youth Development Forum, Kano First Forum, Salmah Africa Rescue Initiative, Save Girls Initiative, Hannu Dayawa Youth Development Association Bachirawa, Indigent Youth Education and Care Foundation (IYECF), Interfaith Peace Foundation, Anniswan Women Health Initiative (AWOHI), and Nigerian Democracy Working Group.

The coalition also copied the National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Commissioner of Police Kano State Command, Director of State Security Services Kano State, and Kano State Commandant of the NSCDC on the letter.