The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has confirmed his commitment to installing the newly appointed District Head of Bichi, Munir Sanusi, and his assumption of office in the Bichi palace.
Speaking on Wednesday during a solidarity visit by a Bichi group, Emir Sanusi emphasised that despite recent interruptions, the installation would go forward as planned.
It should be noted that last Friday, heavy security forces, including police and Department of State Services (DSS) personnel, reportedly blocked the Kofar Kudu Emir’s palace to prevent Emir Sanusi from accompanying the new Wambai of Kano and District Head of Bichi to his seat.
The action resulted in the restriction of movement into and out of the palace.
“This incident is only a distraction. We do not know why it happened, and those involved have not provided any explanations. However, it will not stop anything.
I tell you that another date will be set for the installation, and your district head will be delivered to you peacefully. Inform the public to maintain peace and prayer.
Whatever the situation, serenity and prayers will get us through to the finish.
With the respect the people of Bichi have for Khalifa and Wambai Abubakar, a son of Khalifa cannot be presented as Wambai, and they will reject him,” he stated.
Hamza Sule, Chairman of Bichi Local Government, led the group and voiced unity while dismissing rumours of opposition to the appointment.
He stated, “We are here to show our support and allegiance to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II. There were rumours suggesting unrest in Bichi, but we are here to make it clear that we are fully supportive.
We fully support Munir Sanusi’s selection as District Head of Bichi. We were in Bichi, waiting for the Wambai to arrive, when we heard these false rumours.
As far as we can see, there is no violence or protest, simply celebration.”
The Bichi Emirate was one of four new emirates established by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje following the partition of the old Kano Emirate.
Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) later dissolved the emirates.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")