Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, has stated that the incoming Kano government will revisit the dethronement of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, the 14th Emir of Kano.
Sanusi, who became emir during Kwankwaso’s final term as governor, was dethroned by outgoing Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, the deputy governor at the time of Sanusi’s installation. Sanusi was removed on March 9, 2020, banished from Kano, and sent to Loko, a remote community in Nasarawa State. Ganduje also divided the emirate into five parts and appointed emirs to each.
In a viral video, Kwankwaso said that the dethronement and balkanization of the emirate will be reviewed by the incoming governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, popularly known as Abba Gida-Gida. He expressed confidence in the incoming administration’s ability to handle the situation and provide guidance to the new governor.
However, Ganduje, one year after removing Sanusi, stated that he made the decision to save the system and the traditional institution from abuse. He claimed that Sanusi was not the best man for the throne and was appointed in retaliation against former President Goodluck Jonathan. Despite these claims, Kwankwaso and his supporters remain committed to revisiting the matter and seeking a resolution.
Kwankwaso further elaborated on the significance of revisiting the matter and emphasized the importance of restoring the traditional institution’s dignity. He expressed his hope that the incoming administration would prioritize the issue and find an amicable solution that would benefit Kano’s people and the entire emirate.
The incoming governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has not yet commented on the matter directly but is expected to address it once he assumes office. With the backing of Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya Movement, many are optimistic that Yusuf’s administration will take decisive action to resolve the lingering controversy surrounding Sanusi’s dethronement.
As the new administration prepares to take office, the people of Kano are closely watching the situation, hoping for a resolution that will bring stability and unity to the emirate. The outcome of the review will not only impact the traditional institution but also set a precedent for future disputes involving traditional rulers in Nigeria.
In the meantime, Sanusi’s supporters continue to advocate for his reinstatement, citing his contributions to the development of Kano state during his tenure as Emir. While the outcome remains uncertain, the issue of Sanusi’s dethronement remains a critical point of discussion for the incoming government and the people of Kano.
