•All The Inside Story No One Will Tell You
These are not the best of times for the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero. Up until he was deposed last Thursday, he fought tooth and nail to stop his removal by Kano Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf. Days back, he tried to reach out to many of those who he felt could help him reach Pres. Tinubu to prevail on Kano Governor not to carry out his plan to remove him from the throne and replace him with Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. But that didn’t work. One of those he reached out to was the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona. City People gathered that this was why he visited the Awujale on Wednesday to help him step in, but it was too late.
The Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf on Thursday formally reappointed former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi back as the Emir of Kano. And on Friday, at an impressive ceremony he gave him a fresh letter of reappointment.
Kabir Yusuf who spoke while he signed into law the amended Kano Emirate Council Law (Repeal Bill 2024) gave the former Emir 48 hours to vacate the palace.
The historic ascent came barely 2 hours after the Kano State House of Assembly abrogated the establishment of 5 new Emirates in the state that stripped the 2 siblings of Bayero Dynasty, Aminu Ado Bayero, Nasiru Ado Bayero, and others
The new law which was signed to law returned the 14th Fulani Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II as the new and only Emir of Kano, while those stripped of their crown by the new law have been demoted to the position of District Heads.
The new law sighted states among other things that “All offices created in the newly created 5 Emirates under the repealed principal law, dated 5th December, 2019 are hereby abrogated. All appointment made under the said repealed Principal Law dated 5th December, 2019 are hereby set aside.”
On Restoration of traditional titles, it states that “All traditional office holders and title holders elevated or appointed to office created under the repealed Principal law, dated 5th December, 2019 shall revert to their position where such positions previously existed under recognized custom and traditions prior to the enactment of the repealed Principal Law dated 5th December, 2019.”
The new law which spelt out the Powers of the Governor empowered the Governor to 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all necessary measures to restore the status of the Kano Emirate System to its positions prior to the enactment of the repealed Principal Law dated 5th December, 2019.” In the meantime, the demoted emir affected by the new law are believed to be absent from the state as at the time of the sweeping action by the House of Assembly.
Checks revealed that while the former emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and his brother the emir of Bichi were out of the state, the whereabouts of the remaining 3 emirs were unknown as at press time.
Four years after. He is now dethronement, Sanusi has been reinstated as Emir of Kano. Mr Sanusi is now officially the 14th and 16th Emir of Kano having served in 2 different dispensations. The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, 62, was installed in 2014 by then Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who is the political godfather of current Governor Yusuf.
He succeeded Ado Bayero, the father of the man who was appointed following his own removal, and who has now become his own predecessor. The governor made the announcement of Mr Sanusi’s reappointment at the Kano Government House, after a ceremonial signing event attended by top government officials and reporters. Before the public signing of the law, the governor signed the law passed by the state House of Assembly only hours earlier, in a closed event witnessed by the Speaker, Jibrin Falgore, and some of the state kingmakers. The new law dissolved all the 5 emirates and removed all the first class emirs of Gaya, Bichi, Rano, Kano and Karaye.
The reinstated emir, Mr Sanusi, arrived in the state on Thursday night and the next day he led the congregational jummat prayer at the Central Mosque. Mr Sanusi was dethroned on 9 March, 2020 by then Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who accused him of Insubordination and Political interference.
He was replaced by Aminu Ado-Bayero, who held the throne until last Thursday. Mr Ado-Bayero was out of Kano at the time of this development. The governor, while announcing Mr Sanusi’s reappointment, gave the former emirs 48 hours to hand over and vacate their palaces. He asked them to hand over all government properties to the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Lets tell you about Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, CON Muhammadu Sanusi who was born on 31 July 1961. He is known by the religious title Khalifa Sanusi II. He is now the current Emir of Kano State and a Spiritual leader in the Tijanniyah Sufi Order of Nigeria. He is a member of the Dabo dynasty and the 14th emir (Sarki) of the ancient city-state of Kano. He was born into the royal family as the grandson of Muhammadu Sanusi I. He succeeded his great-uncle Ado Bayero to the throne on 8 June 2014, and spent most of his reign advocating for Cultural reform in Northern Nigeria.
Sanusi is a prominent traditional and religious figure in West Africa. As the Khalifa of the Tijaniyyah Sufi Order of Nigeria and the neighbouring countries, he arguably has a politico-spiritual authority over the second largest Sufi order, with over 50 million adherents. He grew up in the royal palace of his grand-uncle, and as a youth received both religious and secular education. Prior to his accession, Sanusi was an Islamic intellectual, academic, political economist and banker. He served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014, ushering in banking reforms until his suspension after he brought to light the $20 billion oil scandal.
Sanusi was born in Kano to a ruling class Fulani family of the Sullubawa Clan. He grew up in the palace of his great-uncle Ado Bayero, who reigned for over 5 decades. His father, Aminu Sanusi, was a Prince and diplomat who served as the ambassador to Belgium, China and Canada, and later Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was also the Chiroma of Kano and son of Muhammadu Sanusi I, who was the 11th Fulani Emir of Kano from 1953 to 1963, when he was deposed by his cousin Sir Ahmadu Bello.
How about his past? Sanusi received early religious education at home, where he learnt Qur’an, hadith and the traditions of Muhammad. He then attended St. Annes Primary School, a Catholic boarding school in Kaduna, before proceeding to King’s College, Lagos from 1973 to 1977. He received a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Ahmadu Bello University in 1981. After graduating, he spent a year undergoing his National Youth Service as a teacher in a girls boarding school in Yola. He then returned to the university where he received a master’s degree in Economics in 1983, and lectured at the faculty for two years.
He later moved to Khartoum where he read Islamic Studies at the International University of Africa. He became fluent in Arabic and also studied the Qur’an, law (fiqh) and philosophy (falsafa), amongst others, he read the works of prominent Western thinkers and Islamic authorities and was also exposed to the four Sunni madhhabs of Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali.
In 1985, he began his banking career when he was hired by Icon Limited (a subsidiary of Barings Bank and Morgan Guaranty Trust)– as a merchant banker before later becoming head of financial services and Manager of the office in Kano. He left the bank in 1991, when he travelled to Sudan, to pursue studies in Arabic and Islamic studies at the International University of Africa in Khartoum. In 1997, he returned to Nigeria and joined the United Bank for Africa working in the Credit and risk management division. He rose through the ranks to the position of General Manager. In 2005, Sanusi became a board member and executive director in charge of Risk management at First Bank of Nigeria – Nigeria’s oldest bank, and one of Africa’s largest financial institutions. In January 2009, Sanusi became the chief executive officer, becoming the first northern Nigerian to head the bank.
On 1 June 2009, he was nominated as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua; his appointment was confirmed by the Senate on 3 June 2009, during the global financial crisis. In Nigeria, the effect of the crisis took a hit at the economy and the banking system, with the stock market collapsing by nearly 70%. It was amidst this crisis that Sanusi led the central bank in rescuing top tier banks with over ¦ 600 billion of public money, dismissing and imprisoning chief executives who had mismanaged customer deposits – and strictly dealing with banks found responsible for financial crimes. Sanusi attributed the crash in the capital markets to “financial illiteracy” on the part of Nigerian investors. He also introduced a consolidation process which reduced the number of Nigerian banks through merger and acquisitions, in a bid to make them stronger and more accountable to depositors. He also led efforts in increasing the level of investment in infrastructure and support for small and medium enterprises.
Sanusi’s tenure initiated several extensive banking reforms termed The “Sanusi Tsunami”. The reforms were built around four pillars: enhancing the quality of banks, establishing financial stability, enabling healthy financial sector evolution and ensuring the financial sector contributes to the real economy. Sanusi developed the cashless policy – whereby financial transactions are not conducted with money in the form of physical banknotes or coins, but rather through the transfer of digital information (usually an electronic representation of money) between the transacting parties; he also introduced and supported the establishment of Islamic banking in Nigeria, a move which was criticized by the Christian Association of Nigeria. He also clashed with the National Assembly, over its budgetary spending of 25% of all government revenue;and rejected the International Monetary Fund insistence for a currency devaluation. He also advised the government on the removal of the fuel subsidy, which he argued engendered a culture of high level corruption and economic inefficiency – the removal of the subsidy was unpopular and led to the Occupy Nigeria movement, which called for his resignation.
His reforms received both criticism and appraisal from the industry. In February 2014, after a series of public investigations and raising the alarm on the US$20 billion NNPC scandal, Sanusi was suspended as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria by President Goodluck Jonathan. In April 2014, he won a court case against the federal government.
On 6 June 2014, Emir Ado Bayero who reigned as Emir of Kano for over 5 decades died, and a succession crisis loomed amongst the royal family. On 8 June 2014, Sanusi a grandson of former Emir Muhammadu Sanusi I; and holder of the traditional title of Dan Majen Kano (Son of Emir-Maje) emerged as the new Emir of Kano. His accession led to widespread protests from supporters of Sanusi Ado Bayero, the Chiroman Kano (Crown Prince) and son of the late Emir Ado Bayero, with allegations that Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso interfered with the king-making process.
On 8 June 2014, Sanusi was selected to succeed his granduncle, Ado Bayero, as the Emir of Kano. His enthronement was controversial. Many expected Bayero’s son to succeed him as The Emir, and protested Sanusi’s appointment. He was crowned Sarki Muhammadu Sunusi II (anglicized as Sanusi) on 9 June 2014, the 57th monarch of the ancient-city Kano; hierarchically the 4th-most-important Islamic traditional ruler in Nigeria after the Sultan of Sokoto, Shehu of Borno and Emir of Gwandu.
During Sanusi’s 6-year reign, The Emir reinvented himself as a charismatic figure at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. Major developments, such as the drafting of a new Muslim family law, construction of a 40,000 books library and vernacular modernization of the 15th century palace took place; and the Durbar festival was promoted internationally.Tourism to heritage sites such as the ancient Dala Hill and Gidan Makama increased and was encouraged by Sanusi. The Emir also played a role in revamping the ancient city’s cultural objects including in clothing where he advocated for the revival of the moribund 14th century dye pits at Kofar Mata – and through his own style and drapery projected the craftsmanship of the city’s leading guilds.
He also spoke out on government policies, breaking with royal tradition.He criticised the government of misplaced priorities. In 2017, the Emirate Council was under investigation for financial irregularities. Many saw this as retribution over comments he made against the state government. The investigation was later called off by the state legislature following intervention by the ruling class.
In 2019, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje signed into law the creation of 4 new emirates: Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye. This unprecedented move saw the partitioning of Sanusi’s traditional domain as Emir. According to the law, out of the 44 local government areas in the state, Sanusi as Emir of Kano will preside over just 10 local government areas; with the remainder carved up amongst the new emirates. In March 2020, the state legislature launched a new investigation against The Emir for violation of “traditional practices”, this was coming after a high court ruling restraining the corruption investigation against Sanusi.
On 9 March 2020, Sanusi was dethroned by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. Sanusi was in his private residence in Gidan Rumfa when he learnt of his removal, while awaiting for state officials to formally serve him the Deposition letter, a contingent of police, military, and security operatives stormed the palace. Sanusi later accepted his dethronement as a Divine Act and urged his supporters to remain calm and avoid bloodshed. He also urged them to declare bay’ah to his successor Aminu Ado Bayero, and stated “It is a thing of pride that made us to rule and end in the same fashion as the Khalifa,” in reference to his grandfather Muhammadu Sanusi I, who was also deposed and exiled in 1963.
Sanusi was later informed of his exile from Kano to Nasarawa State. Initially wanting to serve his exile in Lagos with his family, his request was denied and was later escorted out of the palace under heavy guard to a military air base. His lawyers subsequently announced they are going to challenge his arbitrary exile in court. Sanusi was then flown to Abuja, en route to Loko in Nassarawa.
On 10 March, he was relocated from Loko via police helicopter to Awe a remote local government area in the state. On 13 March, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the release of Sanusi, he subsequently left Awe together with Governor Nasir El Rufai, after leading Friday prayers in full regalia to Lagos.
Sanusi has stated that he will not challenge his dethronement and intends to go on with his activities as a private citizen. He ruled out the possibility of entry into Politics, and decided to focuse his time on writing and academic pursuits. He is a Visiting scholar at the University of Oxford’s African Studies Centre, where he is set to publish a book about his role as Central bank governor during the global financial crisis. He also plans to write on Muslim Law and cultural practices in northern Nigeria. In June 2021, Sanusi released a compendium of his articles from 1999 to 2005. On 10 May 2021, Sanusi was appointed as leader (khalifa) of the Tijaniyyah Sufi order in Nigeria, an important position which was held by his grandfather, with immense religious authority in West Africa. He is currently ongoing a PhD in Islamic Law at the University of London.
On May 23 2024 the Governor of Kano State reinstated Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who had taken the name Muhammadu Sanusi II when he became Emir of Kano. Sanusi had been deposed as the Emir of Kano four years ago.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State announced the decision to restore Sanusi to the throne after signing the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law
The new law replaces the Kano State Emirates Council Law, 2019, and dissolves the 5 emirate councils created by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje which had splintered the Kano Emirate and led to the deposition of Sanusi.
