By Gideon Njoku
The dethroned Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, ended his reign on the seat of one of the most revered traditional stools in Nigeria, with almost the same statement he made on the day he was crowned.
On that day, almost six years ago, he said these words on marble:
“The throne of an Emir is not permanent, every king and leader should know this.
If it was a permanent throne, I wouldn’t have been an emir of Kano. Before I came, someone was emir and before him someone else was there.
Whenever God says your time on the throne is over, if you don’t leave with your legs, people will carry your body out of the palace.
It is God that gives power and it is God that takes power.”
And, in a recorded statement, on dethronement, obtained by The Cable, Sanusi accepted his fate thus:
“With almost six years on this throne, and in charge of our heritage, today, the Almighty Allah, who gave me the leadership, has destned to take it back.
“As I always say, leadership has predetermined tenure. The days Allah destined are numbered. When the days come to an end, one must leave.
“We have accepted whatever Allah decides. We appreciate (God). We are happy, and we know it is what is best for us.
” We enjoin everyone to remain peaceful. We have directed our family, our children, and those that support us that whoever gets it, and is endorsed by the people, they should pay allegiance to him.
” They should follow him (the new Emir). They should guard his honour and dignity of this palace.”
Alluding to his grandfather who was, also, deposed as an Emir, in !963, by the Sarduana of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sanusi took pride in sharing the same fate as him.
He said: “It is a thing of pride that made us to rule and end in the same fashion as Halifa (his grandfather’s sobriquet)”
Sanusi was dethroned as the Emir of Kano by his nemesis, The Governor of Kano state, Dr Abdullahi Ghanduje.
There hours later, the Governor replaced him with his cousin, the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Aminu Bayero. The new Emir is the son of Sanusi’s late predecessor.
Sanusi was, on dethronement, arrested and banished to Nasarawa state. Driven, amidst tight security, to Kano airport, from where he was flown to Abuja, he was again driven from Abuja to Nasarawa where he has been banished to.
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