By Hussaini Ibrahim
A group under the auspices of Yoruba Community Kano (YCK) has called on relevant security agencies to ensure the implementation of the dethronement of some Yoruba leaders in Kano by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II to avoid further escalation of crisis.
The group made the call at a press conference in Kano on Tuesday led by Taofeek Olalekan Olaosebika, joined by other Yoruba groups leaders representing, Osun, Oyo, Kwara, Ondo, Kogi, Ogun, YCK Youths Wing and YCK Women Wing.
The group explained that as regards eight of the Yoruba title holders, in a joint decision between the Ooni of Ife, Alafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadan, Oluwo of Iwo, Ataoja of Osogbo, and the Emir of Kano, have all been removed including the Oba Yoruba of Kano Alhaji Murtala Alimi Otisese.
The group also claims that since the dethronement, contained in a letter issued on 23rd February 2026, relative peace has been achieved in the Kano Yoruba Community, as against the escalating crisis that had caused division amongst them earlier.
The group declared dissociation from all the title holders that include, Oba Yoruba Kano, Oba Yoruba Dala, Oba Yoruba Tarauni, Oba Yoruba Kano Municipal, Oba Yoruba Nasarawa, Oba Yoruba Ungogo, Oba Yoruba Gwale and Oba Yoruba Kumbotso.
“In view of the peace presently being enjoyed among our brothers and sisters, and in the collective interest of the Yoruba-speaking states in Kano, we hereby dissociate ourselves frome the aforementioned individuals and their claims to Yoruba traditional leadership in Kano.
“We respectfully call on the Kano state government and the Kano Emirate Council to refrain from granting any official recognition to such claims.
“Further more we urge relevant security agencies to act in accordance with the law, should any of the above named individuals continue to present themselves ina manner capable of disrupting public order.
“We appealed to all Yoruba sons and daughters in Kano to remain calm, peaceful and law abiding” he stated.
He finally explained that efforts are ongoing for the establishment of a reconciliatory framework aimed at restoring peace in the community.
However, the president of the YCK, Comrade Olajide J. Ogunleye was not in attendance at the press conference.
More so, in a letter dated 11th February 2026, from the Alafin of Oyo to the Emir of Kano, made available to Blueprint, a request for the suspension and rescheduling of the chieftaincy titles installation by the Yoruba Community in Kano was made.
It was clear that Alhaji Murtala Alimi Otisese, recognized as the Oba of Yoruba in Kano, is not one of those dethroned as reflected in the letter of dethronement written to one of the seven dethroned title holders as suggested by the group.
In a letter signed by the district head of Kumbotso written to Sarkin Yarbawa Kumbotso, Alhaji Ahmad Olusegun Adeboye Oni, and dated 23rd February, 2026, it was stated that only the seven representatives of the Oba of Kano in the seven local government areas were sacked.
The letter was in response to an earlier letter, dated 16th February, 2026, signed by the Kano Emirate’s Secretary, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, seven district heads were instructed to remove the representatives of the Oba Yoruba Kano in their domains.
It was clearly stated in the letter that all the seven representatives under the Oba Yoruba of Kano are removed for peace to reign.
However, valuable documents made available to journalists by a source who preferred anonymity,at YCK, secretariat stated officially that all the seven Oba for the seven local government areas councils were dethroned
The official documents also clearly indicated that the Emirate council only recognized the Oba Yoruba of Kano , Alhaji Murtala Alimi Otisese as the only authentic personality regarded as Oba Yoruba of Kano
The group at the palace of Yoruba Community ,situated at Sanusi road in Sabongari added that all those claimed to be YCK are not official and recognized as the real YCK