Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II is set to be reinstated as the Emir of Kano, marking his return to the revered throne on Friday. This decision follows a resolution by the Kano State House of Assembly to dethrone the current Emir and repeal the contentious 2019 law that created four additional Emirates within the state.
The resolution, which has garnered significant attention, awaits only the governor’s assent to become official. According to the Majority Leader of the Kano State House of Assembly, Lawan Dala, who sponsored the Amendment Bill, the bill has already been sent to the governor. Dala announced, “The bill has been sent to the governor for assent, now there is no longer an active Emir in Kano in all the five Emirates; Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano, and Karaye. The law now provides for the governor to call on the traditional kingmakers to choose a new king.”
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II, who was deposed in 2020, had his powers significantly reduced by the restructuring of the Kano Emirate, a move widely perceived as politically motivated due to his outspoken criticism of the former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration. The 2019 law that fragmented the historic Kano Emirate into five smaller Emirates was seen as an effort to dilute Sanusi’s influence.
The repeal of this law signifies a return to the traditional structure and is viewed as a step towards restoring the historical and cultural integrity of Kano. Deputy Speaker Muhammad Butu emphasized that this move would revive Kano’s lost glory, as the division of the Emirate had diminished the state’s stature on the national stage. “The division of Kano Emirate into five reduced the capacity and dignity of the state at the national level,” Butu explained.
Sanusi’s reinstatement is expected to be a momentous occasion, symbolizing not just a return to tradition but also a reconciliation with the past political rifts that led to his removal. The reinstatement of Sanusi II, a respected economist and former Central Bank Governor, is anticipated to bolster the traditional leadership and cultural heritage of Kano.
As the Kano State House of Assembly awaits the governor’s assent, the people of Kano and observers nationwide watch closely, anticipating the formal return of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II to the throne.
