Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II has been reinstated as the Emir of Kano, following a resolution by the Kano State House of Assembly to dethrone the current Emir and dismantle the four new emirates established under a controversial 2019 law.
The decision, though not officially announced, has been confirmed by credible sources. Sanusi is expected to return to Kano on Friday.
A source close to the matter stated, “With the passage of the Bill, Sanusi automatically stands reinstated. No need for confirmation; we just need to wait for the Governor to assent to it.”
The restructuring of the Kano Emirate in 2019, seen as a political maneuver to diminish Sanusi’s influence, fragmented the old Kano Emirate Council’s authority. Sanusi, a vocal critic of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration, had his power significantly reduced by the creation of new emirates.
The Majority Leader of the Kano State House of Assembly, Lawan Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa, who sponsored the Amendment Bill, informed journalists after Thursday’s session that the bill had been sent to the governor for assent.
“The bill has been sent to the governor for assent. Now there is no longer an active Emir in Kano in all the five Emirates: Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano, and Karaye. The law now provides the governor the authority to call on the traditional kingmakers to choose a new king,” Chediyar Yan Gurasa said.
This development marks a significant reversal of the 2019 restructuring and reinstates Sanusi II to a position of traditional authority and influence in Kano State.