Lamido Sanusi reappointed emir of Kano after Governor Yusuf reverses Ganduje's sacking

ALHAJI Lamido Sanusi is set to be reinstalled as the emir of Kano after Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf approved his appointment following passing of the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Bill 2024 which he signed into law this evening.

Earlier today, the Kano State House of Assembly passed the bill dissolving the five emirate councils established by former governor Abdullahi Ganduje. In December 2019, the then Governor Ganduje created the five councils of  Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye and deposed Emir Sanusi after the two of them fell out.

With Governor Yusuf signing the new bill into law, not only are the five councils dissolved but the emirs return to their former positions as district heads, with Alhaji Sanusi now being the sole emir of Kano.

Passed overwhelmingly, the new law stated that the governor shall take all necessary measures to restore the status of the Kano emirate system to its positions prior to the enactment of the repealed Principal Law dated 5th December, 2019, thereby giving powers to the state government to reappoint Sanusi as the Emir of Kano. It added that that the traditional office holders and title holders elevated or appointed to office created under the repealed Principal Law shall revert to their position which previously existed under recognised custom and traditions prior to the enactment of the repealed Principal Law dated 5th December, 2019.

This provision reappoints the demoted five kingmakers and empowers them to choose the new emir who will now be endorsed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. It added that the commissioner responsible for local government shall oversee all transitional arrangements including how best to deal with assets and liabilities of the abolished emirates and new structure created under the repealed Principal Law.

Acting on the matter immediately, Governor Yusuf named Alhaji Sanusi as the new Emir of Kano at around 5pm today. Governor Yusuf said: "I have approved the reappointment of Khalipha Muhammadu Sanusi II as the emir of Kano."

Hon Lawan Yan Gurasa, the majority leader in the Kano State House of Assembly and sponsor of the amendment bill, said that the emirate council served as a custodian of culture which was distorted by the creation of the four additional emirates. His bill also led to the House adopting a motion to create a new second-class emirate council in the state.