Sanusi Lamido Sanusi Reinstated as Emir of Kano: The Untold Story

Here’s the inside story behind this development… On June 8, 2014, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi ascended to the throne as Emir of Kano after President Goodluck Jonathan suspended him from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). 

Following the death of Al-Haji Ado Bayero, Sanusi emerged as a favored successor. At the time, the governor of Kano was Rabiu Kwankwaso, a staunch ally of Sanusi. Both men shared a common political stance, opposing President Goodluck Jonathan and his second-term bid. Their collaboration and other northern PDP chieftains, who also resisted Jonathan, facilitated Sanusi‘s installation as Emir.

Sanusi held the position until March 2020, when former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje dethroned him. Ganduje, who had served as Deputy Governor under Kwankwaso, eventually fell out with his former mentor, creating significant political friction in Kano. Sanusi‘s alignment with Kwankwaso placed him at odds with Ganduje. Known for his outspoken nature and willingness to challenge authorities, Sanusi criticized Ganduje‘s policies and highlighted the corruption within his administration. The tipping point was Sanusi‘s opposition to Ganduje‘s $1.8 billion loan request. Ganduje, determined to reassert control, decided to act.

On March 8, 2020, Ganduje convened a meeting with the Kano Emirates, where he announced Sanusi‘s dethronement. The official reasons cited were dubious, accusing Sanusi of “total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the governor” and claiming the removal was necessary to protect the integrity and traditions of the Kano Emirate. Ganduje did not specify which instructions Sanusi had allegedly disrespected. To ensure his decision was irrevocable, Ganduje quickly passed a bill through the State House of Assembly, which he signed into law, fragmenting the Kano Emirate into five smaller emirates: Kano, Rano, Gaya, Karaye, and Bichi and appointing loyalists as Emirs over each region.

With Sanusi out of the way, Ganduje was no longer under his critical scrutiny. However, Abba Kabir Yusuf, an adherent of the Kwankwasiya movement and a political adversary of Ganduje, has since taken over as governor of Kano. After narrowly defending his position against Ganduje‘s chosen successor in a legal battle, Yusuf began undoing Ganduje‘s politically driven decisions. This included reinstating loyalists from his own political faction, notably Emir Sanusi. Working with the Kano State House of Assembly, Yusuf abolished the 2019 law that had divided the Kano Emirate, dissolving the five new emirates and reinstating Sanusi as the sole Emir.

This saga exemplifies the use of traditional institutions as pawns in political power struggles. It highlights that these maneuvers are less about governance and more about political dominance, mirroring similar dynamics seen with Siminalayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike in Rivers State.