The Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, on Monday, dethroned the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, after the traditional ruler’s five years on the throne.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, in a statement in Kano on Monday, stated that the removal of Sanusi, whose grandfather, Muhammadu Sanusi I, was deposed in 1963, was unanimously approved by the state executive council.
Before the state government announced Sanusi’s dethronement at 11am on Monday, there were signs that a major decision was in the offing as heavily armed security agents were drafted to the major parts of the city, including the palace of the monarch.
About six hours after Sanusi was deposed, the state government announced Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, a son of the 13th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, who died in 2014, as the successor to the dethroned monarch.
The state government as early as 8am had invited journalists to the Government House for what a top officer said was “an important state matter.”
Reading the statement, which conveyed the dethronement of Sanusi, the secretary to the state government stated that the emir was dethroned for “total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the state governor and other lawful authorities, including his persistent refusal to attend official meetings and programmes organised by the government without any lawful justification which amount to total insubordination.”
He further alleged that Sanusi breached part 3 section 13 (a-e) of the Kano State Emirate Law 2019, adding that if left unchecked the deposed monarch would “destroy the good and established image of the Kano Emirate.
“This removal is made after due consultation with the relevant stakeholders and in compliance with part 3 section 13 of the Kano State Emirate Law 2019 and other reasons stated above.
“This removal was reached in order to safeguard the sanctity, culture, tradition, religion and prestige of the Kano Emirate built over thousand years.”
He urged people of the state to be calm, adding that a new Emir of Kano Emirate would soon be appointed.
The state governor, through the secretary to the state government, said he had approved the appointment of Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, as the 15th Emir of Kano in the ruling Fulani dynasty.
The SSG, Usman Alhaji, at the press conference, said “I have been directed by His Excellency, Governor Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, following the resolution of the state executive council and recommendation by Kano kingmakers to announce the appointment of Alhaj Aminu Ado Bayero as the new Emir of Kano.
“In my capacity as the secretary to the state government, I have been directed based on Sections 11 Subsection 1 of Kano State Emirate Council law 2019 to announce the appointment of Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the former Emir of Bichi as the 15th Emir of Kano in the ruling Fulani dynasty.”
He said the appointment of the new emir followed the recommendation received by Ganduje from the kingmakers.
Shortly after Sanusi was deposed, more policemen led by the state Commissioner of Police, Habu Sani, joined the security agents who had earlier been deployed in the Emir’s palace.
Some members of the public, who already converged on the premises were dispersed by the police.
Some members of the emirate council, who wanted to visit Sanusi after his removal were not allowed to enter the palace.
Apart from the Emir’s palace, security was also beefed up at the Government House, Kano, and some strategic places in the ancient city.
It was observed that visitors to the Government House were being subjected to thorough checks as part measures to prevent all unwanted visitors from gaining access.
There were heavily armed security personnel in places such as Kofar Nassarawa and Kofar Dan’agundi as well as other volatile areas within the metropolis.