In a significant political turnaround, Muhammadu Lamido Sanusi II has been reappointed as the 14th Emir of Kano, precisely 1,545 days after his initial deposition. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State approved this reappointment following the passage and assent of the Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment number 2) Bill, 2024, by the House of Assembly.
The newly enacted law overturns several legislative measures introduced by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, which had fragmented the historic Kano Emirate into five separate emirates, ultimately leading to Sanusi’s removal on March 9, 2020. Under Ganduje’s administration, Sanusi, a former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, was dethroned and relocated to Lagos.
Governor Yusuf’s administration has mandated the five former emirs to vacate their official residences and transfer all emirate properties to the deputy governor within 48 hours. Sources indicate that Sanusi is expected to preside over Juma’at prayers in Kano today.
The legislative overhaul began with the Kano State House of Assembly, which in a special session led by Speaker Jibrin Falgore, abolished the five emirates established by Ganduje. The Assembly swiftly passed the repeal bill, emphasizing the restoration of the traditional Kano Emirate structure. Majority Leader Lawan Hussaini, who sponsored the bill, argued that the previous government’s actions had distorted the historical emirate system.
Dissatisfaction among minority members led to a walkout during the legislative session. Minority Leader Ayuba Labaran and his colleagues called for a public hearing, arguing that the creation of the new emirates had facilitated rural development.
Governor Yusuf’s immediate assent to the bill reinstated Sanusi and set in motion the dissolution of the five emirates. A statement from the governor’s spokesperson highlighted that the new law aims to unify Kano’s people and foster sustainable socio-economic development. Yusuf emphasized that Sanusi’s return to the throne aligns with his campaign promise to restore Kano’s cultural heritage.
The swift reinstatement has stirred activity within the emir’s palace, with heightened security and a postponement of planned events. Historian Professor Tijjani Naniya from Bayero University, Kano, noted that the dissolution of the new emirates was anticipated, criticizing the initial creation as flawed.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara congratulated Sanusi on his reinstatement, underscoring that his previous dethronement had opposed the will of Kano’s people. Fubara praised the Kano State government for rectifying past wrongs and urged the public to support the reappointed emir.
This development marks a pivotal moment in Kano’s political landscape, restoring a legacy that has endured for over a thousand years and reaffirming Sanusi’s leadership in the historic emirate.
