By Akinwale Kasali
Deposed former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Mohammed Sanusi II, is in a dilemma.
His presence in Lagos has been rejected by a Yoruba Group – The Apapo Oodua Koya, AOKOYA. This group has warned him not to contemplate living permanently in Lagos. They say he wants to establish a Fulani Emirate in Yorubaland.
The former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor has been in Lagos since Friday, after a Federal High Court ruling that questioned the abuse of his fundamental human rights as a Nigerian by the Governor Abdullahi Ganduje led Kano State Government. On release, Sanusi decided to settle in Lagos, a city he had earlier chosen to be exiled to before he was banished to Loko, and later, Awe, both in Nasarawa state.
In statement issued on Saturday, the Apapo Oodua Koya, (AOKOYA) the Pan Yoruba group said Sanusi’s plan for relocating to Lagos, is unhealthy for the culture and heritage of Yoruba people.
“We caution you not to relocate and live permanently in Lagos. As a former Emir of Kano, you have over 50 cities and villages you can live in the North. You do not need to come and live in Lagos. When the Alaafin of Oyo 1 was deposed, he didn’t choose Sokoto or Kano to live.”
AOKOYA said Sanusi’ s plot for relocating to Lagos is a conscious attempt to challenge the dominion of Yoruba Obas, tradition institutions and possibly, use the opportunity to build a counter Fulani Emirate in Yorubaland.
The group said “We are aware that Sanusi’s coming to Lagos will draw many of his supporters to Lagos. They will be going to pay homage to him in Lagos.
“It will be an opportunity for him to coordinate Fulani activities in the South West. The millions of Fulani people in Lagos will seek to pay homage to him and differ to him as he becomes a major stakeholder in South West traditional and cultural affairs.
“This will have a short and long term implication for cultural and social equilibrium in Lagos and the entire Yorubaland.
“All over history, Fulani settlement anywhere has led to pains and anguish not to talk of someone with penchant for Fulani supremacy.”
The statement was signed by AOKOYA official Col Abimbola Sowumi (rtd).
AOKOYA said the former Emir is anxious to use Yorubaland as a launch pad to regain his lost throne adding that Sanusi, who, allegedly, is reputed for desperation and power mongering will use his relocation to Lagos to create another Emirate in Lagos with the passage of time.
“If in Lagos, he will be receiving local and international visitors. Given his enormous wealth, it is a matter of time before he turns himself into a parallel tradition institution in Yorubaland. What Sanusi wants to achieve is to make Lagos another outpost of the Fulani hegemony.”
The group says Sanusi had made statements in the past showing his bizarre hatred, allegedly, for Yoruba people saying that his choice of Lagos is borne out of mischief.
“Sanusi is a very opportunistic man who grandstands. He is cunnying, tribalistic and vain. He claims to be fighting for the masses but has done nothing for them except owning a fleet of cars including Rolls Royce.
“He is a descendant of Uthman Dan Fodio whose long term ambition is to conquer and subjugate other nationalities in Nigeria. His great grandfather killed millions of people in the North in order to take over their land and resources.
“Sanusi has not, at any time, condemned this crime except nursing the ambition to be the custodian of the blood stained crown. His preference for Lagos can only spell doom for the political economy and the culture of Yoruba people”, the group warned.
