Since Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf just joined the center politically, there has been renewed discussion over the long-running Kano emirate dilemma. People are wondering if this change could affect the fate of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The governor, on the other hand, has rejected any idea that the political transition could lead to Sanusi’s resignation. Weekend Trust claims that the emir’s position is still solid and unchanged.
For almost two years, Kano has been in an unusual royal impasse, with two emirs fighting over the same high seat.
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has stayed at the famous Gidan Rumfa palace, while Emir Aminu Ado Bayero has stayed at the Nassarawa mini-palace. Each has political support from different groups.
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje removed Sanusi from office in March 2020 and replaced him with Bayero. Governor Yusuf brought Sanusi back to office in May 2024.
The restoration came when the Kano State House of Assembly passed the Kano State Emirates Councils (Repeal) Law 2024. This law got rid of the five emirates that were created by the 2019 law that many people think helped Sanusi get kicked out in the first place.
The Yusuf government brought Kano back to a single-emir structure by getting rid of that statute. This meant that Bayero and the other first-class emirs who had been selected under the old system were no longer in charge. Even yet, Bayero nonetheless claimed the crown, purportedly with the help of security forces and the quiet support of some federal officials, which made the situation even worse.
The long standoff caused loyalties in the respected emirate to become very divided, and it broke up what had been a close-knit royal family for a long time, as political interests began to affect traditional loyalties.
After the defection, speculation grows stronger.
Earlier this week, new possibilities came up when Governor Yusuf switched to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move put him on the same side as former governor Ganduje, who is largely seen as a strong backer of Bayero.
The defection also caused a big rift between Yusuf and his old political sponsor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. It was thought that Sanusi had gotten his job back with Kwankwaso’s help. This change in politics led to rumors that the emirate dispute could be brought up again as part of the APC’s larger efforts to bring people together.
Questions about what would happen to the two opposing emirs got further attention on Thursday when Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, hinted that the long-running issue might be coming to an end.
Waiya remarked on a radio show in Kano that the state government had taken “concrete steps” to bring about permanent peace and stability. He also indicated that the “two emirs” standoff was coming to an end.
Even though he didn’t say much, many people thought his comments meant that the government might be looking for a political solution, either by bringing Bayero back and getting rid of Sanusi, or by keeping Sanusi and giving Bayero a way out that saves face, like a federal appointment.
There was a lot of talk on social media about the news, with many people saying it may be a “second removal” of Sanusi, which they said was connected to the increasing gap between Governor Yusuf and Kwankwaso.
“No plan to get rid of Sanusi”
The governor, however, completely denied any plans to change Sanusi’s status as Emir. Speaking only to our correspondent through his spokesman, Sanusi Bature, the Director-General of Media and Publicity for the Kano Government House, Governor Yusuf said there was “absolutely no plan or agreement” that would lead to Sanusi’s removal.
“There is no plan to take Emir Sanusi off the throne of Kano,” he stated. “The emir was chosen after the emirates statute was repealed, and there are no plans at the executive level to make any more changes.
“Emir Sanusi has been properly appointed according to the law that repeals the law, and this switch to the APC would not affect anything. Emir Sanusi is still the Emir of Kano. There is no movement or plan to replace him.
He said that the increased conjecture was based on false rumors spread by people “who do not mean well for Kano State.”
He stated, “People should ignore these kinds of rumors.” “It is important to understand the difference between institutions.” The traditional institution does not take sides. His Excellency brought back the institution’s lost honor and glory.
Bature claimed that the government had not yet reached out to either the Bayero camp or those who were against Sanusi’s return.
He answered, “Not yet,” but he also noted that the administration was asking Bayero and his supporters to put peace first.
“We want to ask him and his co-sponsors to please stay away from the ongoing claim of waiting for reinstatement for the sake of Kano State’s peace, stability, and economic growth.”
“Emirate issue not part of political deal”
When asked if the emirate disagreement was part of the talks that led to the governor’s defection to the APC, Bature said no, saying it was not a political issue.
“The emirate issue is not a political one.” Some people have a personal interest in it, he said.
“People shouldn’t talk about it when making a big political choice like this.
“The governor has the constitutional power to choose or fire an emir. That choice was made a long time ago, and only he can make it. At this point, this issue doesn’t matter to us.
He also told Aminu Ado Bayero, the previous emir, to stay out of politics.
He said, “I want to use this chance to ask the former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, to not let some people use him and to help the Kano First agenda by making sure that politics are stable in the state.”
Bature said it was hard to tell if the government wanted to reach out to people who were fighting for Bayero’s return.
“Some of them don’t have faces,” he continued.
“But this is a new time and a new start. His Excellency is open to talking to anyone who has anything to add to Kano’s growth, whether directly or indirectly. “Above politics and personal interests, Kano comes first.”
The legal fight is still going on.
The emirate conflict is not only political; it also has a big legal side. Alhaji Aminu Babba Danagundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate and a kingmaker for Bayero, filed a lawsuit against the repeal of the emirate statute and Bayero’s ouster. He is a significant person in the Bayero camp.
The matter has gone through a number of courts and is now waiting for the Supreme Court to make a final decision.
Danagundi told our reporter that there was no agreement that could take the Ado Bayero dynasty off the Kano monarchy.
Professor Tijjani Naniya, a historian and Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor on the Kano State Emirates Council, noted that political interests are unavoidable but must stay within the law.
“Talking and coming to an agreement is the safest and most realistic choice. He remarked, “If everyone agrees that peace and stability in Kano are the most important things, then a political settlement that follows the law is possible.”
Emirates council member said Sanusi is “disturbed” by what has happened.
A high-ranking member of the Kano Emirate Council, who asked not to be named, indicated that Emir Sanusi had been upset by recent events.
The source stated, “If you look closely, he hasn’t said anything in weeks, which is strange for him.”
“He is really upset because he knows that anything can happen in politics.”
The senior council member said that the uncertainty may have had something to do with Sanusi’s recent return to school.
“His choice to go to college in Kano to study law is likewise a smart move. The insider stated, “Even if the worst happens, it makes the case stronger for him to stay in Kano without being sent away.”
People in the area have different opinions.
Meanwhile, people in Kano have had varied reactions to the news that Aminu Ado Bayero might be able to become emir again now that the governor has switched to the APC.
Some people in the state said that revoking Sanusi’s reinstatement may make things worse, since the situation had become very political.
A shopkeeper at Kurmi Market named Musa Abdullahi remarked that many people thought “Sanusi came back because of Kwankwaso’s influence.” People are wondering if the governor’s power is still there now that he has joined the APC. But an emirate shouldn’t be thought of as a political office.
Some others said that the legal framework was the most important thing.
Zainab Sadiq, a businesswoman from Hotoro, said that Sanusi’s return was based on the law.
“I don’t see how Aminu Ado Bayero can come back unless that law is changed. “Politics still had a part to play, which is why people are uneasy,” she said.
Some young people were worried that the fact that Kwankwaso’s power seemed to be fading could hurt Sanusi’s standing.
Suleiman Rabi’u, a youth activist, stated that the scenario showed how dangerous it is to make politics out of traditional institutions.
He remarked, “Kwankwaso played a big part in Sanusi’s return, and that’s no secret.” People are worried that Sanusi might not be safe anymore now that the political situation has shifted. Politics in the emirate should be distinct from party politics.
Hauwa Lawan, a housewife, and others urged for calm and respect for due process. They said that the inhabitants were tired of the ongoing crisis.
“Normal people just want peace.” She also said, “Let the courts decide, and everyone should respect the decision.”
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