In a significant political move, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State approved the reappointment of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 14th Emir of Kano on Thursday. This decision reverses Sanusi’s 2020 dethronement by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
Background on Sanusi’s Dethronement
Sanusi’s removal by Ganduje followed a period of intense political rivalry. Ganduje had previously enacted a law in December 2019 to create four new emirates—Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano—diluting the influence of the historic Kano Emirate. This law was amended multiple times, most recently in April 2023, to solidify the structure of these new emirates.
Abolition of New Emirates
On the same day as Sanusi’s reappointment, the Kano State House of Assembly held a special session where they repealed the law establishing the five emirates. The Assembly passed the Kano Emirates Council Law (Repeal Bill) 2024, effectively abolishing the Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano emirates. This move reinstates the singular Kano Emirate structure that existed before Ganduje’s reforms.
Implications for the Dethroned Emirs
The five former emirs have been given 48 hours to vacate their official residences and return any emirate properties to the Commissioner of Local Governments. This directive marks a swift and decisive shift in the state’s traditional leadership structure.
Political and Legal Dynamics
The repealed law had allowed the governor to classify the status of emirs, subject to legislative approval, further highlighting the political control over traditional institutions. The rapid legislative action to repeal the law and the governor’s reappointment of Sanusi underscore the dynamic interplay between political authority and traditional leadership in Kano State.
Conclusion
This development represents a significant reversal of the changes implemented under Ganduje and signals a potential consolidation of power within the traditional Kano Emirate. The reinstatement of Sanusi and the abolition of the newer emirates may also reshape the political landscape and traditional governance in Kano State.
