A month after Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano, only one traditional ruler in Nigeria has publicly extended congratulations.
Sanusi II, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, was formally reinstated at the Government House in Kano following the signing of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law.
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 Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and the head of the Kano Emirate Council.”
He emphasized that Sanusi’s reappointment was “based on his competence, credibility, and popularity,” and urged 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.”
Kano Times has learned that since his reinstatement, there have been no official congratulations from the Presidency, state governors, or traditional rulers. Only the Emir of Gwandu, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Ilyasu Bashir (retd), has extended his congratulations to Sanusi II.
Furthermore, since the reinstatement of Sanusi II, top government officials and well-meaning individuals have avoided visiting emirs palace when they come to Kano.
Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima and his team were in Kano last week for the funeral of his mother-in-law, Hajiya Maryam Albishir. However, he did not visit the emir’s palace.
A powerful delegation from the presidency, led by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, visited Kano last week for a condolence visit to the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, over the death of his mother-in-law, Hajiya Asiya Muhammad Gauyama. However, the delegation did not visit the Emir’s palace, breaking with tradition.
Additionally, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, his deputy Senator Barau Jibrin, who is from Kano State, and other key principal officers of the Senate were in Kano last week but did not visit the Emir’s palace.
This lack of public congratulations from other Emirs and prominent figures has fueled speculation about the reasons behind it. Some analysts believe it reflects a power struggle within the traditional institution, with some Emirs wary of Sanusi’s potential influence.
Others suggest it could be a sign of lingering political tensions between Governor Yusuf and the national APC leadership, who may still be aligned with former Governor Ganduje.
Kano residents expressed their opinions on the silence of Nigerian traditional rulers concerning Muhammadu Sanusi II to our reporter.
Mammane Bouhari, a Kano-based social commentator from Kano Project Accountability, stated, “I doubt this development because Sanusi is not recognized by the northern emirs; they do not support him. Supporting the inhumane actions of the Kano State Governor and his cabinet would undermine traditional values.”
Bouhari added, “Recently, Northern Traditional Rulers made their position clear to the Kano State Government: ‘We regard Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as the rightful Emir of Kano, and all correspondence must be directed to Emir Aminu Bayero due to the court order.’ Recognizing Sanusi would allow corrupt politicians to erode respect for traditional values.”
Mubarak Ahmad also shared his perspective on the matter. He stated, “In my opinion, the apparent silence from Nigerian traditional rulers regarding the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II is due to the underlying political crisis between the past and present governments in the state. Other traditional rulers may not want to get involved in the political move by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, as this is a matter related to Kano State, regardless of their personal views.”
Ahmad added, “Other emirs might not want to get involved in the political tension in Kano, even though public support was evident. Public support does not make an illegal phenomenon legal or vice versa.”
Abubakar Umar Lamido commented, “As of now, nobody is certain if Sanusi II will win in court. The traditional rulers are skeptical and do not want to hurt Aminu Bayero, who, by virtue of the court ruling, is still the authentic emir.”
Regardless of the specific reasons, the muted reception for Sanusi’s reinstatement raises questions about the unity of the Kano Emirate and the wider Nigerian traditional system. It remains to be seen whether Sanusi can bridge these divides and use his leadership to foster the harmony Governor Yusuf called for during his reinstatement ceremony.
