In a significant turn of events, Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano, four years after his deposition. The governor made the announcement after signing a bill that dissolved the emirate councils created in 2019 into law.
With the support of the kingmakers, Governor Yusuf approved the reappointment of Mallam Sanusi Lamido, as he was previously known before ascending the throne. The reinstatement took place at the Art Chamber of the Kano State Government House, amidst cheers from the audience.
Governor Yusuf's decision to reinstate Emir Sanusi II came immediately after signing the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law. This new legislation replaces the Kano State Emirates Council Law, 2019, which was used by the previous governor to divide the Kano Emirate into five and depose Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The controversial decision to split the Kano Emirate and remove Emir Sanusi II sparked widespread debate. Governor Yusuf, in reversing the decision, emphasized that it was a reversal of a law that had fragmented the historic Kano Emirate, which has a history spanning over 1,000 years.
Under the new law, the emirs who governed the dissolved emirates have been given 48 hours to vacate their palaces. This reinstatement marks a significant moment in the history of Kano State and the traditional institution.
Following the signing of the bill into law, all appointments made in accordance with the 2019 law have been invalidated, leading to the restoration of the original pre-2019 status of the Kano Emirate," he stated.
"The annulment of the 2019 law implies that there is currently no emir in Kano except for the reinstated emir."
The bill was signed into law and announced in the presence of the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam, and the Speaker of the Assembly, Jibril Falgore.
Prior to the bill signing, the governor, along with the aforementioned individuals, held a closed-door meeting with traditional rulers and kingmakers.
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II ascended to the throne on June 8, 2014, during Rabiu Kwankwaso's tenure as Governor of Kano State. His appointment as Emir occurred shortly after Goodluck Jonathan, the president at the time, removed him from his position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Sanusi's relationship with Jonathan deteriorated when he accused the administration of corruption five years into his term as Central Bank Governor.
A similar pattern emerged during his reign in Kano under Ganduje's administration, with stability prevailing until three years into his rule.
When Governor Sabo Bakin Zuwo assumed office in 1983, he made the decision to restore the Kano Emirate to its original size and status, while abolishing the other emirates. This move was perceived as an effort to reinstate the traditional power balance and address the concerns of those who were against the establishment of the new emirates.
Over 35 years later, Ganduje's decision faced a similar outcome. Just like Rimi's action, it was met with controversy and legal disputes.
Nadir Nasidi, a historian at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, was one of the experts who opposed the establishment of the new emirates this time.
According to Nasidi, "Kano is the only emirate in the country with a single unifying monarch. The creation of unnecessary monarchs is not acceptable. Many of us, including myself, advised the Ganduje administration that his actions were not favorable."
Although uncertain about the return of Sanusi, Nasidi was firm in his belief that the new emirates needed to be dissolved.
"The other emirates should be reduced to local chiefs under the supreme emir of Kano. They can select one individual from all the monarchs to be the overall ruler," he stated.
On Thursday, the desires of individuals like Professor Nasidi were fulfilled. Supporters of the 14th Emir and the emir himself have found cause for celebration, as history has repeated itself.