In a historic turn of events, the 16th Emir of Kano, Sanusi Muhammadu, has been reinstated, marking a significant milestone for the region.
This comes just a day after Governor Abba Yusuf annulled the previous administration’s decree that dethroned him.
At a formal ceremony held at the Government House in Kano on Friday, Sanusi was officially reinstated and received his letter of appointment. The event saw the attendance of numerous dignitaries, including kingmakers, traditional rulers, and senior government officials. Governor Yusuf cited Sanusi’s popularity, competence, and credibility as key reasons for his reinstatement.
“By the authority granted to me by the Kano Emirate Council Law of 1984 and 2024, and following the recommendation of the kingmakers, I have the singular pleasure to confirm Muhammadu Sanusi II’s reappointment as the Emir of Kano and the head of the Kano Emirate Council,” Governor Yusuf announced.
The reinstatement overturns the decision made by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who had deposed Sanusi in March 2020 and subsequently divided the historic Kano Emirate into five smaller emirates. The newly enacted Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 nullifies this division, returning the Kano Emirate to its pre-2019 structure and dissolving the emirate councils established under Ganduje’s administration.
During the reinstatement ceremony, Governor Yusuf underscored the Emir’s role in promoting Islamic values and unifying the community. “I implore him to follow the tenets of Islamic teachings and to utilize his position to bring the emirate together and promote harmony among the Islamic sects in the state,” he stated.
Sanusi’s initial deposition had sparked widespread controversy across Nigeria. Many viewed his removal as politically motivated and unjust. Governor Yusuf described the process leading to Sanusi’s reinstatement as a rectification of past wrongs. “We took this action because we firmly believe that this man was victimized in 2019. We all believe that we have a duty to return what is rightfully ours to the state’s good citizens,” he said.
The governor also praised the swift legislative action that facilitated the reinstatement. “This is my humble way of saying thank you to the Speaker and every member of the House for your unwavering commitment to upholding the law. Your concern for the well-being of the state’s citizens is evident,” he remarked.
Following his reinstatement, Sanusi led the Juma’at prayer at Government House. Sanusi, who was the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria before his initial appointment as Emir in 2014, is seen as a prominent cultural figure whose return preserves the historical integrity of the Kano Emirate.
The 2019 law that led to Sanusi’s deposition has been superseded, rendering all subsequent appointments null and void. The emirs of the dissolved emirates have been given 48 hours to vacate their palaces. This decisive move underscores the current administration’s commitment to protecting the region’s historical and cultural heritage and restoring the Kano Emirate’s authority.
Sanusi’s return to office heralds a new chapter in the history of the Kano Emirate, one that promises to uphold its traditions and unity as one of Nigeria’s most influential and ancient emirates.
