Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 14th Emir of Kano, who was dethroned in 2020 after falling out with ex-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, may soon reclaim his position following recent legislative changes.
The Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Law, enacted in 2019 by the Ganduje administration to create four additional emirates—Rano, Karaye, Gaya, and Bichi—was repealed by the Kano House of Assembly on Thursday.
The repeal abolished these emirates and the changes introduced under Ganduje’s administration.
A copy of the repealed bill, obtained by reporters, states: “All offices created in the newly created five Emirates under the repealed principal law, dated 5th December 2019, are hereby abrogated. All appointments made under the said repealed Principal Law dated 5th December 2019, are hereby set aside.”
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Sources said Governor Abba Yusuf is expected to sign the bill into law on Thursday, although as of the time of filing this report, the governor had not yet done so.
“Emir Sanusi is currently preparing for his return to the throne. Although he is not in town at the moment, we are expecting his return on Friday,” a source was quoted in a report.
Sanusi is reportedly in Lagos, preparing for an elegant return.
Meanwhile, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, who succeeded Sanusi, is currently out of town. Bayero, along with his aides and chiefs, visited Oba Sikiru Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland, in Ijebu-Ode to celebrate the traditional ruler’s 90th birthday and 64th year on the throne.
Bayero remarked, “Awujale is someone who has been at par with my forefathers for 64 years and I am privileged to still have people like him around at 90. He is a real gem who is a close associate of my late father’s and that is why I call him my Father as well. So coming here to greet him and get his blessings is something I will appreciate till the end of time. It is a good experience for me.”
Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, Emir of Bichi and younger brother of the Kano Emir, is also out of Kano, reportedly having flown abroad. The whereabouts of the Emirs of Rano, Karaye, and Gaya remain unknown at the time of filing this report.
In a chat with journalists on Thursday, Majority Leader of the Kano House of Assembly, Lawal Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa, who sponsored the bill, said, “This bill in its entirety has abrogated the establishment of five new Emirates in the state and reverted to the former status of a single emir in Kano, which we inherited since the Jihad of Shehu Usman Dan Fodio. That’s what the bill is now all about, and there was a plan to create an additional second-class Emir after this.”
He continued, “This means that the remaining five emirs are no longer in existence. There is no Emir now in Kano. It is now the decision of the governor to appoint a new emir. The bill has empowered the governor to invite the kingmakers to nominate a new king. So, we are now waiting for the governor to assent to the bill if he wishes and invite the kingmakers to give him a new king.”
Gov Yusuf signs bill into law
The Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has signed the bill that repealed the State Emirate Council Law 2019 that gave the state five emirate councils.
A bill calling for the removal of all five emirs and the dissolution of the four extra emirates established by former governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration was approved by the state House of Assembly on Thursday.
On Thursday, May 24, the day after the state legislature passed the bill with a unanimous vote, the governor signed it at the Government House.
After lunch at the Government House with a few Kano kingmakers and lawmakers led by the speaker, Jibrin Falgore, Mr. Yusuf signed the legislation.
The government’s spokesperson, Halilu Dantiye, or his deputy, Sanusi Bature, are expected to brief reporters on the development soon.
Recall on Thursday, December 5, 2019, Mr. Ganduje equally signed the legislation establishing the four emirates; on the same day, Mr. Yusuf gave his assent to the bill eliminating the emirates.
First-class emirs in Gaya, Rano, Karaye, and Bichi were eliminated along with the five emirates system by the Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment No.2) Law, 2024.
With the exception of Sokoto, where the Sultan is the only emir who is supremely powerful over all other emirs in the caliphate, this has returned the state to being the only one with a single emirate council.
Earlier in the day, during a House session chaired by Speaker Mr. Falgore, the state House of Assembly approved and passed the legislation after it was given a third reading and considered by the committee of the whole.
The dissolution of the five emirates has caused controversy in the state; opponents of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP), are in favor of the move, while members of the APC are opposed.
Kano Governor Yusuf signs the bill into law
Many thought the move was meant to bring back the ousted Emir Lamido Sanusi.
On March 9, 2020, the state government deposed Mr. Sanusi due to his insubordination; Aminu Ado-Bayero, who had been moved from the Bichi emirate to Kano, took his place.
Mr. Sanusi could be chosen as the next emir by the kingmakers, who were spotted at the Government House on Thursday.
