Emir Sanusi’s Reinstatement: Only One Northern Emir pays Him Homage
By Tukur Muntari
More than one month after Muhammad Sanusi II was reappointed as the 16th Emir of Kano, only one traditional ruler from the northwest zone of the country congratulated.
Sanusi, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, was formally reinstated as the Emir of Kano on 23rd May 2024, following the signing of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law by the Kano state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Read also: Al-Istiqama University @5: So far, so good
During his reinstatement, Governor Yusuf declared, “Under the authority granted to me by the Kano Emirate Council Laws of 1984 and 2024, and with the endorsement of the kingmakers, I am pleased to confirm the reappointment of Sanusi Lamido Aminu Sanusi as the Emir of Kano and the head of the Kano Emirate Council.”
The governor emphasized that Sanusi’s reappointment was based on his competence, credibility, and popularity, urging the new Emir “to be guided by the principles of Islamic teachings and to use his position to unite the emirate, fostering harmony among the Islamic sects in the state.”
However since the reinstatement of Sanusi there were official congratulations either from the Presidency, state governors, ministers and or other top government officials.
Also, with exception of the Emir of Gwandu, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashir (retd), Emir Sanusi did not receive congratulation messages from his counterparts emirs from within and outside the country.
Similarly, top government officials and well-meaning individuals have avoided visiting the emir’s palace when they come to Kano, a development that many public commentators viewed as something indecorous in the traditional institution.
For instance, Vice President Kashim Shettima and his team were in Kano recently for the funeral of his mother-in-law, Hajiya Maryam Albishir but he did not visit the emir’s palace despite spending days in the state recieving condolences.
Read also: Al-Istiqama University @5: So far, so good
Again, a powerful delegation from the Presidency, led by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, had visited Kano for a condolence visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, over the death of his mother-in-law, Hajiya Asiya Muhammad Gauyama, but the delegation did not visit the Emir’s palace which is abnormal.
Additionally, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, his deputy Senator Barau Jibrin, who is from Kano State, and other key principal officers of the Senate were also in Kano last week but did not visit the Emir Sanusi.
The deliberate refusal of the prominent personalities, especially Emirs from the northern part of the country to send congratulatory messages Emir Sanusi, is a clear indication that the reinstated Emir is not enjoying their supports.
While some analysts believe that the action reflects a power struggle within the traditional institution, with some Emirs wary of Sanusi’s potential influence, others suggest that it could be a sign of lingering political tensions between Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the incumbent National Chairman of ruling APC, Dr. Ganduje.
Kano residents have continued to express mixed feelings on the silence of traditional rulers concerning reinstatement of Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano.
While some view the development as lack of recognition by the northern emirs, others see it as lack of support for him, describing the Governor’s action and that of his cabinet as a deliberate attempt to undermine traditional values.
Recall that some Northern Traditional Rulers had made their position clear to the Kano State Government when they declared their support for Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as the rightful Emir of Kano, according the monarchs all correspondence from them must be directed to Emir Aminu Bayero due to the court order which directed for maintaining the status quo.
Read also: Al-Istiqama University @5: So far, so good
However, some commentators, who maintained a neutral position, believe that the apparent silence from the traditional rulers regarding the reinstatement of Sanusi is due to the underlying political crisis between the past and present governments in the state which many traditional rulers prepared not to be involved in the tussle which has continued to generate tension and controversy.
As the emirship tussle is yet to be resolved, onlookers live to see who will win the battle between Emir Bayero and Emir Sanusi II. Time will tell.
