All the Facts About Muhammadu Sanusi’s Reinstatement as Emir of Kano

Muhammadu Sanusi II has been reinstated as the Emir of Kano, four years after being removed from this position. 

This return to power came after Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State declared the reinstatement at a public event at the Government House on Thursday, May 23, as he was cheered on by supporters and key decision-makers.

“With the full support of the kingmakers, I have approved the reappointment of Mallam Sanusi Lamido,” Governor Yusuf said around 5:16 pm.

The announcement came after the Kano House of Assembly earlier on Thursday unanimously voted to pass into law a bill that repealed the Kano State Emirate Council Bill 2019. The new bill is titled ‘The Kano State Emirates Councils (Repeal) Bill, 2024.’

Sanusi’s Dethronement

Muhammadu Sanusi’s removal in 2020 by the previous governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, was widely viewed as a political move. Ganduje had split the Kano Emirate into five parts, reducing Sanusi’s influence, which many saw as an attempt to silence Sanusi’s criticisms of the government’s financial policies.

During his time as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi was known for his straightforward approach, often criticising government corruption. His boldness continued as Emir of Kano, leading to his initial removal both as a banker and later as a monarch.

The political landscape changed with the 2023 election when Ganduje’s party lost and Abba Yusuf, under the Nwon the governorship with the support of the people who were unhappy with the previous government’s actions, including the splitting of the emirate.

Upon taking office, Governor Yusuf quickly moved to reverse the changes made by Ganduje. He signed a new law that dissolved the emirates created in 2019 and reinstated Sanusi as Emir. This action was seen as a correction of what many believed to be a wrongful act against Sanusi and a restoration of the traditional emirate system.

History Repeated

Sanusi’s return is a significant moment for the culture and politics of Kano. It represents a return to traditional values and the rejection of the previous government’s attempts to change the historical power structure.

This situation is similar to a past event in Kano during the late 1970s and early 1980s under the administration of Governor Abubakar Rimi. There was an attempt to divide the Kano Emirate into five, which was vehemently opposed by the royal family and traditional rulers, leading to public unrest.

Despite the resistance, Governor Rimi moved forward to create new emirates – Gaya, Karaye, Bichi, Rano, and Kano. Although the then-Emir of Kano was not deposed, he was suspended in 1981. 

According to political analysts, it was this move, which led to riots, that ended Rimi’s political career until he eventually resigned in 1983 after a fallout with Aminu Kano.

In the same 1983, Sabo Bakin Zumo became the Governor of Kano, and he nullified Rimi’s decision and reversed the Kano Emirate to its original status.

Thirty-five years later, history has repeated itself, showing the strong attachment to traditional systems and the political risks of trying to alter them.

Kano High Court Stops Sanusi’s Reinstatement

Following the repeal of the law that created the new emirates and pronounced reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano, a Federal High Court in Kano has reportedly ordered the Kano Assembly not to move forward with the action.

In a court document shared on X by Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and a loyalist of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the court granted an exparte injunction to stop the abolishment of the additional emirates created under the Ganduje administration.

According to the court papers, the petition was filed Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi (Sarkin Dawaki Babba).