Why I reinstated Sanusi as Emir of Kano -Gov Yusuf

Governor Abba Yusuf on Friday explained why he reinstated the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Lamido Sanusi, as the emir of Kano.

He spoke before presenting the letter of appointment to Sanusi at Africa House of Government House, Kano.

Yusuf said Sanusi was “victimised in 2019” by the Ganduje administration that dethroned and banished him.

“We repealed the former law, the appointment of former emirs as well as all the appointments that were done by the previous administration. We did that out of our conviction and believe that this gentleman (Sanusi) was victimised in 2019.

“So, we had a feeling that we have to bring back what is due to the good people of the state. And by doing that, the bill was signed around after 5pm and there was no problem. We signed the bill into law and it has become our law; nobody will change it,” the governor said.

Yusuf further articulated that the return of Sanusi, also Muhammadu Sanusi II back on throne will propel peace and prosperity adding that the repeal of the council law was in realisation of his campaign commitments to restore the lost glory of the state and its rich cultural heritage.

He noted that the reappointment of Sanusi to the probated throne of Malam Ibrahim Dabo was guided by collective and careful judgment about his confidence, credibility and proven intellect that he will, by the grace of Allah, at this trying period of the emirate, deploy his wealth of experience to provide the required visionary and purposeful leadership to reunite and rebuild the traditional institution.

Presenting the appointment letter, Yusuf said: “I am standing before you today the 24th of May, 2024, to present a letter of reinstatement to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Aminu Sanusi.

“Yesterday (Thursday) we gathered here in Government House and had series of meetings with the kingmakers. We also had extensive discussions with the Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly. We also had time to sit with the heads of security agencies in the state.

“At the end of the day, we all sat down at that chamber, where I received the bill that repealed the former law and I signed the bill into law.

“By the powers conferred on me by the Kano state emirates council of chiefs, given the Kano state appointment and disposition law of 1984, in consonant with the Kano state emirate council repealed law 2024 and supported by the recommendation of the Kano state emirates council kingmakers who are here with us, I, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state, have the singular pleasure to confirm the appointment of Sanusi Lamido Aminu Sanusi as the 16th emir of Kano and the head of Kano emirates council.”

He congratulated Sanusi, also known as Muhammadu Sanusi II on the appointment and thanked the Speaker and State Assembly members for their “doggedness, commitment and respect for the rule of law,” saying what the lawmakers had done was a testament of their interest in the welfare of the people of the state.

While praying God to protect and guide Sanusi, he reminded that as the former CBN governor ascends the throne for the second time, the rising expectation has broadened.

The governor said he signed the proposed law at exactly 5:14pm after which came the orders.

“It means they were already armed with the motion ex-parte even before he gave assent to the bill passed by the State House of Assembly or at what time had they approached the court to obtain the order?,” he asked.

Justice Mohammed Liman gave the order following an application by a kingmaker, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi.

Kano State Government, Kano Assembly, the Speaker, the Attorney-General, Commissioner of Police, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the State Security Service (SSS) are respondents.

“The judge is in America, how could he sit in America and give order in Nigeria to stop a legitimate process,” he queried.

Yusuf said Sanusi’s reinstatement was delayed because due process was being followed.

“The Assembly members did their legislative duty and passed the bill into law. We met with law enforcement agencies and the kingmakers before I signed the law,” he said and added the law has come to stay and no one can stop it.

He said the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024 happened to affect the five (dethroned) emirs, while favouring Sanusi.

The new law says: “All traditional office holders and title holders elevated or appointed to office created under the repealed Principal law, dated 5th December, 2019 shall revert to their position where such positions previously existed under recognized custom and traditions prior to the enactment of the repealed Principal Law dated 5th December, 2019.”

Yusuf said: “It is not a new stool, neither Sanusi is a new emir. The king has only returned home to his throne, after it was balkanised. It has all along been his throne.”

The governor said Kano is peaceful and calm, as he appealed to the people to go about their businesses freely.

Sanusi leads Juma’at prayer at Kano State House:
Reinstated Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi on Friday led the Juma’at prayer for Muslims at Government House, Kano.

This was done after Governor Abba Yusuf presented the letter of appointment as the 16th emir of Kano to him at Africa House.

The governor said after the Juma’at prayer, Sanusi would return to his lodge with members of his emirate council to continue with the business of the emirate council.
“A announcement shall be made later as to when he will move to the palace,” the governor said.

He charged the emir, an Islamic scholar, to use his wisdom to unite all the Islamic sects in the state.

As soon as he received his appointment letter and confirmation as emir of Kano, all the district heads and senior council chiefs bowed and paid allegiance to him at the Africa House.