Sanusi reinstated as Emir of Kano four years after deposition

Muhammadu Sanusi II, deposed as the Emir of Kano four years ago, has been reinstated to the throne by Governor Abba Yusuf.

Yusuf announced the decision on Thursday after signing the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law.

“With the full support of the kingmakers, I have approved the reappointment of Malam Sanusi Lamido,” Abba said.

The new law replaces the Kano State Emirates Council Law, 2019, and dissolves the emirate councils created by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

By the law, Ganduje had created the emirates of Karaye, Bichi, Rano, and Gaya, in addition to Kano in December 2019.

The former governor had also dethroned Sanusi II after a long-running dispute in March 2020.

Earlier on Thursday, the state assembly had passed the repeal into law during plenary .

The Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Butu, explained that repealing the law would revive the lost glory of Kano as the division of Kano emirate to five reduced the capacity and dignity of the state at the national level.

“This bill in its entirety has abrogated the establishment of the 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,” said Majority Leader Lawal Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa after the repeal was passed on Thursday.

“The abolished Emirates did nothing but create division among the indigenes of Kano. The unity which was visible for thousands of years in Kano was divided. We are now reverting to our old historical background; one Kano, one people, one Emir,” Yan Gurasa stated.