Kano: Governor-elect Invites Sanusi, Former Emir, To Inauguration; Confusion Reigns

By Gideon Njoku

The former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, may likely take his first trip to the ancient city since he was deposed from the high profile office, and banished from Kano.

Crowned Emir of Kano on 7, February 2015, after his controversial and abridged tenure as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Sanusi was deposed by the outgoing All Progressives Congress, APC, Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, who banished him to a remote village in Nasarawa State.

However, Sanusi got a relief through the Courts, and since then, has had his freedom, but never visited Kano, especially  with Ganduje as Governor.

All that is about to change, and strong speculation is that Sanusi could be reinstated as the Emir of Kano.

This speculation stemmed from the defeat of the APC in the Governorship election held in March, 2023.

Ganduje’s Candidate and preferred successor, Nasir Gawuna, was defeated by the Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Engr Abba Yusuf.

It was the Presidential Candidate of the NNPP, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former Governor of the State, who first gave a hint that Sanusi could get his seat back. Kwankwaso, former Ganduje’s boss, who became his political enemy, on his Party’s victory at the Governorship polls, revealed that the deposition of Sanusi as Emir might be revisited as well as the balkanisation of the old Kano Emirate into four by Ganduje. It was Kwankwaso as Governor, who appointed Sanusi as Emir of Kano.

Now, it does seem that the process, which could lead to the reinstatement of Sanusi, has started.

Governor-elect, Yusuf, has officially invited the former Emir to his inauguration as the Governor of the State on 29 May 2023.

Many people see the invitation as controversial. And, are wondering how Sanusi will be in the same space, if he honours the invitation, with the incumbent Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero.