Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano, four years after his deposition. The move follows the signing of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024, which dissolves the emirate councils created by the previous administration and restores the Kano Emirate to its original status.
Sanusi II was removed as emir in 2020 by the then-governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who had split the Kano Emirate into five smaller emirates. The move was seen as politically motivated and sparked widespread controversy. Sanusi II had been a vocal critic of Ganduje’s administration, accusing them of mismanaging the state’s finances and engaging in corruption.
The reinstatement of Sanusi II fulfills Governor Yusuf’s campaign promise to reverse some of Ganduje’s policies. The new law gives the emirs of the dissolved emirates 48 hours to vacate their palaces.
Sanusi II’s return to the throne is seen as a victory for his supporters and a rebuke to Ganduje’s administration, which was accused of mismanaging the state’s finances and engaging in corruption.
With the full support of the kingmakers, I have approved the reappointment of Mallam Sanusi Lamido,” Governor Yusuf said. “The repeal of the 2019 law means that there is no emir in Kano as of now except the reinstated emir” he furthered said.
The reinstatement of Sanusi II is seen as a victory for his supporters and a rebuke to Ganduje’s administration, which was accused of mismanaging the state’s finances and engaging in corruption. Many people believed Sanusi’s removal was political and sympathized with him, viewing him as a victim and Governor Ganduje as the villain.
