Sanusi Will Remain Emir Of Kano – Kano State Government

By Adesina Soyooye

The fear that the factional Emir of Kano, the one reinstalled and recognised by the current Administration in Kano State, Lamido Sanusi, will be dethroned has been dismissed.

The fear stemmed from the defection of the Governor of Kano State, Kabiru Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP to the All Progressives Congress, APC. It was Yusuf’s Government which dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero and reinstalled Sanusi. Sanusi was dethroned by the immediate past Government of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje which installed Bayero as the Emir.

Since that past two, the crisis of who is the Emir of Kano has remained unresolved because it has become a legal issue.

Bayero,  it is strongly speculated,has the support of the Federal Government while Sanusi enjoys the full support of the State Government.

But there seems to be a breather for Sanusi from the side of Governor Yusuf. He has dismissed any idea or suggestion that his movement to the Government at the Centre will affect Emir Sanusi who lives and operates from the historic Gidan Rumfa palace.  Emir Ado Bayero, lives and operates from the Nasarawa mini-palace.

The snte over what will happen to Sanusi was raised  on Thursday when the State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, said  that the resolution of the crisis is near.

Waiya who spoke on a radio programme in Kano, said that the state government had put “concrete measures” for the restoration of lasting peace and stability.

Waiya’s comments

were interpreted by not a few people to mean that the government is now  exploring a political settlement either by a reinstatement of Bayero and removal of Sanusi, or by retaining Sanusi while offering Bayero a face-saving exit, perhaps through a federal appointment.

But on Friday, the Governor responding unequivocally ruled out any plan to remove Sanusi as the Emir of Kano.

In an  exclusive interview with Weekend Trust, the Governor’s spokesman, Sanusi Bature, said there was “absolutely no plan or agreement” to that effect.

He said: “There is no plan to replace Emir Sanusi on the throne of Kano.

“The appointment of the Emir was done after the Emirates law had been repealed, and there is no plan at the executive level for any further amendment.

“Emir Sanusi has been duly appointed in accordance with the repeal law, and this defection to the APC will not in any way change the status quo. Emir Sanusi remains the Emir of Kano. There is no move, no intention to substitute him.

“The renewed speculation is unfounded rumours being circulated by individuals who do not mean well for Kano State.

“People should disregard such rumours. There must be a clear understanding of the distinction between institutions. The traditional institution is non-partisan. What His Excellency did was to restore the lost glory and integrity of that institution.

“We want to appeal to him and his co-sponsors to please, in the interest of peace, stability and economic prosperity of Kano State, distance themselves from the ongoing claim of awaiting reinstatement.

“The emirate issue is not a political decision. It is the personal interest of some individuals.

“It should not be discussed during a serious political decision like this.

“The governor has the constitutional right to appoint or remove an emir. That decision was taken long ago, and it is exclusive to him. For us, this issue is immaterial at this point.”

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, to recuse himself from being used by some people and to contribute positively to the Kano First agenda by ensuring political stability in the State.”