Kano Emirate: The Exit Of Monarch

Kano Emirate: The Exit of Monarch

By Hussaini Ibrahim Sulaiman

A historic chapter spurred in Kano this week with the dethronement of the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and —the dissolution of the newly four Emirates of Rano Emirate, Bichi Emirate, Karaye Emirate and Gaya Emirate respectively, created by the former governor of the state, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, in 2020. The monarch’s removal coupled with the scrapping of the aforementioned emirates has left another indelible mark on the Kano Emirate, one of the most pvowerful traditional institutions in Nigeria.

Following the victory of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the leading opposition party in the state, in the last years’ election (2023), the National leader of the party Engr. Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso had said that the government of Abba Kabir Yusuf (Who’s a loyalist to the Kwankwaso) would review the dethronement and separating of the emirate.

On 23 May, 2024 Kano State House of Assembly passed the Kano Emirates Council Law (repeal bill) 2024. That was sequel to deliberations on floor of the House during a plenary. The law, which was passed after scaling 3rd reading had abolished the establishment of five emirate councils in the state. With the amendment of the law, all four new emirate councils were abolished leaving only the Kano Emirate. The moved had also paved way for the returned of the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

It would be recalled that, in 2019, the immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, now, the present National Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), signed into law the bill he sent to the state House of Assembly for the creation of four new emirates in the state. The creation of the emirates had generated a controversy, as many believed that the development was designed to weaken the influence of the then Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Ganduje, however, who is the closest political rival of Kwankwaso, later in 2020, expelled Muhammadu Sunusi II, the 14th emir over the allegations comprising the insubordination, refusal to attend official meetings and breach of Kano Emirate Law. He consequently, after a flurry of activity as preparations to select his successor, the process, steeped in tradition, involves consultations among kingmakers and royal families, Aminu Ado Bayero emerged as the next emir.

Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, who was the 14th emir of Kano under the Fulani dynasty, ascended the throne as the Emir of Kano on June 8, 2014 following the passing of his predecessor, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero following a protracted illness in the United Kingdom. He belongs to a ruling class Fulani family of the Sullubawa clan.

He was appointed by Kwankwaso who was the governor of the state at that time. Political analyst revealed that, the idea of separating the emirate was engineered by the first governor of the state, Alhaji Abubakar who was at a serious loggerhead with Kwankwaso till his demised.

In 1982, Abubakar Rimi, who was the governor of Kano State at the time, attempted to remove Alhaji Ado Bayero from his position as the Emir of Kano. There seems to have been a tense relationship between them, with Rmini even making public statements about his authority to remove the Emir.

However, in 1983 Rimi, created four additional emirates of Dutse (now the capital of Jigawa State), Auyo, Gaya and Rano. The four were created in addition to the existing Kano, Hadejia, Gumel and Kazaure emirates.

Mr Bakin-zuwo, who defeated Governor Rimi in the bitterly fought governorship election of 1983, immediately scrapped the four new councils and demoted their emirs to district heads.

In more similarities of events that happened over four decades later, Messrs Rimi and Bakin-zuwo were members of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) until the governor fell out with their party’s leader, Aminu Kano.

He defected to the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP) and stepped down from office to seek re-election on the ticket of his new party, while the PRP gave its ticket to Mr Bakinzuwo, who was then a senator.

In the general election, the PRP retook the governorship seat in the controversial general elections of that year.

But following the creation of Jigawa State by the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida in 1991 and with three of the emirates moving to the new state, Kano became a single emirate state, until former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje again broke it into five emirates in 2019.

*Uncertainties*

Kano has been embroiled in a complex power struggle surrounding the dethronement of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero in 2024. The situation remains unresolved, causing significant uncertainty for the future of the Kano Emirate, one of the Nigeria’s most historic traditional institutions.

Adding the confusion, conflicting court orders have emerged. A Federal High Court ruling reinstated Emir Bayero, while a Kano State High Court injunction protects the current Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

This legal battle has created a stalemate, leaving residents unsure of who the rightful ruler is.

Public opinion in Kano is divided. Protests erupted in support of Emir Bayero, highlighting the deep loyalty some residents hold for their deposed leader. However, other faction back Emir Sanusi II, a popular figure known for his progressive views.

The situation has broader implications. The Kano Emirate holds immense cultural and religious significance for Northern Nigeria. The ongoing tussle destabilize this traditional institution and raises concerns about the potential for further social unrest.