Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has firmly stated that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II’s position is secure and will not be affected by the governor’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This declaration dismisses widespread speculation that the political shift, which aligns Yusuf with former governor Abdullahi Ganduje, a key supporter of the deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, could lead to Sanusi’s removal.
The governor’s spokesman emphasized that Sanusi’s 2024 reinstatement was a legal act following the repeal of the state’s emirate law and is not subject to political negotiation. The state remains in a protracted royal crisis with two rival emirs, Sanusi and Bayero, claiming the throne.
Key Points
The governor’s statement aims to quell political and social unrest by assuring stability within the traditional institution amidst volatile partisan changes.
It seeks to legally and politically insulate the emir’s throne from the fallout of the governor’s defection, attempting to separate traditional authority from party politics.
Emir Sanusi gains a public reaffirmation of his legitimacy, while the governor attempts to demonstrate that executive decisions are based on law, not fleeting political alliances.
The assertion tests the principle of the separation of traditional institutions from partisan governance, a boundary frequently blurred in Nigerian politics.
Made immediately after intense public speculation, the timing is a preemptive move to control the narrative and prevent a crisis of confidence in the emirate.
While providing immediate reassurance, the enduring resolution of Kano’s emirate crisis ultimately hinges on legal finality from the Supreme Court and the durability of the governor’s political assurances.
Sources: DailyTrust