Palace evacuation: Dethroned Kano Emirs in limbo, get 48-hour deadline as Gov. Yusuf reinstates Sanusi

…NEF condemns undermining of centuries-old Customs and Traditions, says new Emirate threatens unity

…No raid on Emir’s Palace, says DSS Director   …Fubara hails Sanusi’s return, commends Kano Govt

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reinstated Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi as the 14th Emir of Kano, while ordering emirs of Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye to vacate their palaces within 48 hours. This decision overturns that of the Ganduje-led administration to dethrone Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano in 2020.

This move was announced following the assent of the Governor to the newly passed Kano State Emirate (Repeal) Bill into law, reinstating Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano State.

The law abolishes the five emirates established by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and paves the way for Sanusi’s return to the throne.

The Governor issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the former emirs, including Aminu Ado Bayero, Nasir Ado Bayero, Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa, Ibrahim Abubakar II, and Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, to vacate the palaces and hand over all emirate properties to the office of the Deputy Governor.

Yusuf expressed satisfaction that the new law will bring unity and foster sustainable socio-economic development in Kano State.

He emphasised that Sanusi’s return will propel peace and prosperity, restoring the revered legacy of the Kano emirate, which has stood the test of time for over a thousand years.

The governor urged the populace to continue supporting his administration in delivering infrastructural advancements that will propel Kano to greater heights. With the signing of the bill, Kano State is now under one emirate, marking a significant milestone in the state’s history.

Recall that the affected emirs were installed by the previous administration of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who had split the Kano Emirate into five.

The emirs ousted by Governor Yusuf’s directive are Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and four others, who were installed as first-class emirs in the newly created emirates of Karaye, Gaya, Bichi, and Rano.

However, with the passage of the Kano State Emirate Council Law 2024, these emirates have been dissolved, and Sanusi has been restored as the sole Emir of Kano.

The law has been hailed as a move to restore the traditional unity and cohesion of the Kano Emirate.

…NEF condemns undermining of centuries-old Customs, Traditions, says new Emirate threatens unity

However, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) in a statement signed by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, expressed concern over the dethronement of the emirs, warning that the crisis in the Kano emirate has significantly raised public tensions and concerns.

The forum blamed the previous administration for creating new emirates, which it said threatens the unity and cohesion of the traditional structure and undermines centuries-old customs, values, and traditions.

The reinstatement of Sanusi, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, as gathered, is a nod to change the political landscape of Kano State.

His dethronement in 2020 was widely seen as a move by the previous government to consolidate power and undermine the traditional authority of the Kano Emirate.

According to NEF, “It is important for all parties involved to approach this matter with the utmost care and professionalism, keeping in mind the potential consequences of their actions. Rash decisions and inflammatory statements can only serve to worsen the situation and jeopardize the peace and stability of the state.”

The Forum also called on the public to remain calm and law-abiding, stressing that violence and unrest would only further divide the community and hinder peaceful resolution efforts.

The Elders emphasised the need for unity and mutual understanding during this crisis, noting that the traditional institution in Nigeria has long faced challenges that have rendered it weak and ineffective.

According to NEF, “Creation of multiple emirates in Kano is a deliberate attempt to weaken the authority of traditional rulers, making them more susceptible to political control and manipulation.”

The arbitrary dethronement and replacement of high-ranking traditional rulers in Kano, according to the NEF, undermine their authority and legitimacy.

“This move threatens the unity and cohesion of the traditional structure and undermines the centuries-old customs, values, and traditions that are the bedrock of Nigerian society,” the Forum stressed.

…No raid on Emir’s Palace — DSS Director

In the same vein, the Department of State Security (DSS) has denied reports that its operatives stormed the palace of the Emir of Kano following the dissolution of the five Emirate Councils by the State Assembly on Thursday.

The State Director of the DSS, Muhammad Alhassan, described the reports as untrue and clarified that no DSS operatives were dispatched to the Emir’s Palace.

According to Alhassan, the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, was on an assignment in Kano and had scheduled a visit to the Emir’s Palace, but learned that the Emir was out of town and postponed the visit.

The DSS director emphasised that there was no truth to the reports of a raid on the palace, and urged the public to disregard the misinformation.

The clarification comes amid tensions following the dissolution of the Emirate Councils and the reinstatement of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi as the Emir of Kano.

“We drafted our men as part of our schedules on the visit of the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu but learned that she was not going there and we withdrew our men,” he added.

“Therefore, the story that our men stormed the Emir’s Palace in the wake of the happenings with regards to the Emir is false, malicious and did not happen, “ he said.

…Fubara hails Sanusi’s return, commends Kano Govt

Also, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has congratulated Muhammad Sanusi II on his reinstatement as the 14th Emir of Kano.

Fubara expressed excitement over the news, which coincides with Sanusi’s visit to Rivers State, where he is supporting the state’s economic development efforts.

The Governor described Sanusi’s dethronement in 2020 as an “unjust act” against the people of Kano State and commended the Kano State Government for correcting the past wrong.

He urged the people to support the Emir and called on Sanusi to lead the Tijanniyah Sufi order with love, wisdom, and courage, bringing peace, justice, and prosperity to Kano.

Fubara wished the Emir a successful and fruitful reign.