What you Should know about the Emirate Saga and the real Emir of Kano
The current crisis in the Kano Emirate revolves around the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and the dissolution of the five emirates created by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
The Background of the whole Emirate Saga:
In 2019, then-Governor Ganduje divided the Kano Emirate into five separate emirates—Kano, Bichi, Karaye, Rano, and Gaya—and appointed new emirs, including Aminu Ado Bayero as the Emir of Kano, to rule over 8 metropolitan city local government. This move was widely seen as a way to reduce Sanusi’s influence due to his critical stance against the state government’s policies and his outspoken views on issues like corruption and governance.
Current Conflict:
The new administration under Governor Abba Yusuf, who assumed office in 2023, sought to reverse these changes by dissolving the five emirates and reinstating Sanusi. On May 23, 2024, the Kano State House of Assembly passed a bill repealing the 2019 law that fragmented the Kano Emirate, effectively restoring Sanusi as the Emir of Kano and demoting the emirs of the newly created emirates.
Legal and Political Ramifications:
The situation escalated when a Federal High Court ordered the state government to maintain the status quo and refrain from implementing the reinstatement of Sanusi and the dissolution of the other emirates until a hearing on June 3, 2024. Despite this, both Sanusi and Bayero are holding court in separate palaces, each receiving homages from different factions of the community.
Public and Government Reactions:
The state government, led by Governor Yusuf, insists that reinstating Sanusi is in the best interest of Kano and aims to restore the historical and cultural integrity of the Kano Emirate. On the other hand, Aminu Ado Bayero and his supporters argue that the legal process should be respected, emphasizing the need for calm and adherence to the rule of law .
According to Daily Post, The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, Sanusi Bature, has declared that Aminu Ado Bayero was never an Emir of Kano.
This conflict has caused significant tension in Kano, reflecting deep political and social divides within the state, with both historical legacy and contemporary political maneuvers playing critical roles in the unfolding saga.
