Emir Sanusi II Takes Over Main Palace Amid Controversy As Atiku Kicks Over FG’s Interference in Kano
Amid controversy trailing the reinstatement of the former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has returned to the Kano Emir’s Palace in the wee hours of Saturday.
This is coming as the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has accused the Federal Government of Nigeria of interference in the Kano emirate saga, warning that any attempt to distabilise the state will be resisted.
However, at the palace, Sanusi II appeared on a main palace with the royal umbrella, which signifies him as the emir of Kano.
On Thursday, the state governor, Abba Yusuf, assented to the Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment Number 2) Law, 2024.
The amended law abolished the establishment of the five emirate councils of Kano, Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya in the state.
The governor signed the bill into law in the presence of the deputy governor, Aminu Abdulsalam, Speaker, Isma’il Falgore, the SSG, Abdullahi Bichi.
Speaking after the signing, the governor announced the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi ll, who was deposed by former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje in 2020.
The move led to his reinstatement four years after the immediate past governor of the North-West state Abdullahi Ganduje deposed him.
At an event to receive the appointment letter from Governor Yusuf, Emir Sanusi said his reinstatement was divine.
Muhammadu Sanusi II appears on a horse with the royal umbrella, which signifies him as the Emir. 
Meanwhile, Aminu Ado Bayero is also at the Nasarawa Emir’s residence, seated as the emir.
“The Arabians used to say that in everything we witness, there is a lesson that shows us that God is there. Whatever happens to an individual is preordained by Allah, and for those who are sensible enough, it’s a lesson. God is one, and whatever He does, nobody can change, and what He doesn’t do, nobody can,” he said at the Government House in Kano on Friday just after he got the letter.
“About 10 years ago, in this same place, former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso gave me my appointment letter as the Emir of Kano. Today, after 10 years, I am here again receiving a reappointment letter from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
“Time will not permit long talks. Whatever we needed to say, we said when we were leaving. We made it clear that God has preordained the time and cause for everything and everyone. He gives leadership to whom He wants and at the time He wants. When He gives, no one can take it away, and when He takes it away, nobody can bring it back.”
However, against tradition, the ousted Emir Aminu Ado Bayero remains at a smaller palace in the Nasarawa area.
Atiku Talks Tough, Accuses FG of Interference
In the meantime, the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused the Federal Government of Nigeria of interference in the ongoing Kano Emirates controversy.
He revealed that the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, couldn’t have returned to the ancient city without the Federal Government’s backing.
In a Saturday post on X, Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warned that any attempt to destabilise the peace of Kano State would be resisted.
“The action of the Federal Government in deploying soldiers in Kano in the tussle over the throne of the ancient city is an upset to the peace and security of the state and also in breach of the 1999 Constitution as Amended,” he said.
“In performing their constitutional duties of law-making, the Kano State House of Assembly (KSHA) passed the amended Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 in consonance with the provision of Section 4 of the Constitution 1999 as Amended, whereas the Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf subsequently signed the bill into law. The law, therefore, repealed the 2019 version, which balkanised the ancient Kano Emirate into five.
“The foregoing circumstances happened within the confines of the law and in compliance with the powers conferred on the Governor as provided by Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended; and also in consultation with the Kingmakers of Kano, reappointed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (also known as Muhammadu Sanusi II) as the 16th Emir of Kano State and accordingly handed him a letter of appointment.
“It is surprising that in the early hours of today, at or about 5:30 am, the former Emir of Kano, His Majesty Aminu Ado Bayero, backed by Federal might, made their way into the Nasarawa Palace of the Kano Emirate while the reappointed Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II was at the Gidan Dabo, which is the main residence of the Emir of Kano.
“We need to remind the Tinubu administration that Kano State is known for peace and harmony spanning thousands of years, and any attempt to destabilise the peace of the Land of Commerce shall be resisted. Recall that when Muhammadu Sanusi II was dethroned on 9th March 2020, Kano forged on in peace without any fracas.”
