•Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf (right) and Emir Muhammadu Sanusi
Following Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s recent political alignment with the centre, renewed speculation has trailed the long-running Kano emirate crisis, with questions resurfacing over whether the development could alter the fate of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
However, the governor has dismissed any suggestion that the political shift could lead to the removal of Sanusi, insisting that the emir’s position remains secure and unchanged, reports Weekend Trust.
For close to two years, Kano has been locked in an unprecedented royal deadlock, with two emirs laying claim to the same exalted stool.
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, has continued to operate from the historic Gidan Rumfa palace, while Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, has remained at the Nassarawa mini-palace, each backed by rival political interests.
Sanusi, who was deposed in March 2020 by then governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and replaced with Bayero, was reinstated in May, 2024, by Governor Yusuf.
The reinstatement followed the passage of the Kano State Emirates Councils (Repeal) Law 2024 by the state House of Assembly, which abolished the five emirates created under the 2019 law widely seen as instrumental to Sanusi’s initial removal.
By repealing that law, the Yusuf administration restored Kano to a single-emir structure, removing Bayero and the other first-class emirs appointed under the previous arrangement. Despite this, Bayero continued to lay claim to the throne, reportedly enjoying security backing and tacit recognition from some federal authorities, further deepening the crisis.
The prolonged standoff sharply divided loyalties within the revered emirate and fractured what had long been a closely knit royal family, as political interests increasingly shaped traditional allegiances.
Speculation intensifies after defection
Fresh permutations emerged earlier this week after Governor Yusuf defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that saw him align with former governor Ganduje, who is widely regarded as a key supporter of Bayero.
The defection also marked a major rupture between Yusuf and his former political benefactor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, under whose influence Sanusi was believed to have secured his reinstatement. This political realignment fuelled speculation that the emirate dispute could be revisited as part of broader reconciliation efforts within the APC.
Questions over the future of the two rival emirs gained further traction on Thursday after the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, hinted that the prolonged crisis might be nearing resolution.
Speaking on a radio programme in Kano, Waiya said the state government had put “concrete measures” in place to restore lasting peace and stability, adding that the “two emirs” stalemate was approaching its conclusion.
Though he offered no specifics, his remarks were widely interpreted to mean that the government could be exploring a political settlement, either through the reinstatement of Bayero and removal of Sanusi, or by retaining Sanusi while offering Bayero a face-saving exit, possibly through a federal appointment.
Social media platforms were soon awash with speculation, with many framing the development as a possible “second removal” of Sanusi, allegedly linked to the growing rift between Governor Yusuf and Kwankwaso.
‘No plan to remove Sanusi’
But responding to the speculation, the governor yesterday categorically ruled out any plan to alter Sanusi’s status as Emir of Speaking exclusively to our correspondent through his spokesman, Sanusi Bature, the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Kano Government House, Governor Yusuf said there was “absolutely no plan or agreement” that would lead to Sanusi’s removal.
“There is no plan to replace Emir Sanusi on the throne of Kano,” he said. “The appointment of the emir was done after the emirates law had been repealed, and there is no plan at the executive level for any further amendment.
“Emir Sanusi has been duly appointed in accordance with the repeal law, and this defection to the APC will not in any way change the status quo. Emir Sanusi remains the Emir of Kano. There is no move, no intention to substitute him.”
He described the renewed speculation as unfounded rumours being circulated by individuals “who do not mean well for Kano State”.
“People should disregard such rumours,” he said. “There must be a clear understanding of the distinction between institutions. The traditional institution is non-partisan. What His Excellency did was to restore the lost glory and integrity of that institution.”
On whether the government was engaging with the Bayero camp or those opposed to Sanusi’s reinstatement, Bature said no such outreach had begun.
“Not yet,” he said, adding, however, that the government was appealing to Bayero and his supporters to prioritise peace.
“We want to appeal to him and his co-sponsors to please, in the interest of peace, stability and economic prosperity of Kano State, distance themselves from the ongoing claim of awaiting reinstatement.”
‘Emirate issue not part of political deal’
Asked whether the emirate dispute featured in negotiations preceding the governor’s defection to the APC, Bature dismissed the suggestion, insisting the matter was not political.
“The emirate issue is not a political decision. It is the personal interest of some individuals,” he said.
“It should not be discussed during a serious political decision like this.
“The governor has the constitutional right to appoint or remove an emir. That decision was taken long ago, and it is exclusive to him. For us, this issue is immaterial at this point.”
He also urged the former emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, to dissociate himself from the political manoeuvring.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, to recuse himself from being used by some people and to contribute positively to the Kano First agenda by ensuring political stability in the state,” he said.
On whether the government intended to extend an olive branch to those campaigning for Bayero’s reinstatement, Bature said identifying them posed a challenge.
“Some of them are faceless,” he said.
“But this is a new era and a new beginning. His Excellency is willing to engage with anyone, directly or indirectly, who has something to contribute to Kano’s development. Kano comes first, above personal interest and politics.”
Legal battle remains unresolved
Beyond the political dimension, the emirate dispute also has a significant legal component. A key figure in the Bayero camp, Alhaji Aminu Babba Danagundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate and a kingmaker under Bayero, instituted a suit challenging the repeal of the emirate law and Bayero’s removal.
The case, which has moved through various courts, is currently awaiting final determination at the Supreme Court.
Speaking to our correspondent, Danagundi said there was no consensus arrangement that could remove the Ado Bayero family from the Kano throne.
However, Professor Tijjani Naniya, a historian and Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor on the Kano State Emirates Council, said political interests, while inevitable, must operate within the confines of the law.
“The safest and most realistic option is consultation and consensus. If all parties agree that peace and stability in Kano are paramount, then a political settlement that respects the law is possible,” he said.
Sanusi ‘disturbed’ by developments – Emirates council member
A senior member of the Kano Emirate Council, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Emir Sanusi had been unsettled by recent developments.
“If you observe closely, he has remained quiet for weeks, which is unusual for him,” the source said.
“He is genuinely disturbed because he knows that in politics, anything is possible.”
The senior council member suggested that Sanusi’s recent return to formal education was not unrelated to the uncertainty.
“His decision to study law at a university within Kano is also strategic. Even if the worst happens, it strengthens the argument for him to remain in Kano without being banished,” the source said.
Residents express mixed reactions
Meanwhile, residents of Kano have expressed mixed reactions to renewed concerns that Aminu Ado Bayero could return as emir following the governor’s defection to the APC.
Some residents warned that reversing Sanusi’s reinstatement could reignite tensions in the state, noting that the crisis had become deeply entangled with partisan politics.
Musa Abdullahi, a trader at Kurmi Market, said many residents believed “Sanusi returned because of Kwankwaso’s influence. Now that the governor has moved to the APC, they are asking whether that influence still exists. But an emirate should not be treated like a political office.”
Others pointed to the legal framework as the decisive factor.
Zainab Sadiq, a businesswoman in Hotoro, said Sanusi’s reinstatement was grounded in law.
“Unless that law is reversed, I don’t see how Aminu Ado Bayero can return. Still, politics played a role, and that is why people are uneasy,” she said.
Some youths expressed concern that the perceived decline in Kwankwaso’s influence could weaken Sanusi’s position.
A youth activist, Suleiman Rabi’u, said the situation underscored the danger of politicising traditional institutions.
“Kwankwaso played a major role in Sanusi’s return, and that is no secret,” he said. “Now that the political relationship has changed, people are afraid Sanusi may no longer enjoy protection. Emirate matters should be separated from party politics.”
Others like Hauwa Lawan, a housewife, called for restraint and respect for due process, adding that residents were weary of the prolonged crisis.
“Ordinary people just want peace. Let the courts decide, and everyone should respect the outcome,” she added.
