News analysis by Kayode Olaitan,News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Since the formation of Kano Emirate in 1805, attempts were made twice to split
the emirate. The two administrations hinged their reasons on the need to boost
development in the state.
Late Abubakar Rimi, who was governor from 1979 to 1983 created five emirates
out of Kano Emirate.
However, his successor, Alhaji Sabo Bakin-Zuwo reversed the creation.
Many Nigerians saw it coming, when incumbent governor, Alhaji Abdullahi
Ganduje, on May 8, 2019, assented to the bill passed by the Kano State House
of Assembly, seeking the decentralisation of the Kano Emirate.
Ganduje justified the creation, as he claimed that it was the wish of Kano people.
“With the creation of more emirates, all sectors of the society would improve. It
will also lead to more concentration on our health, education and other equally
important sectors of the society.
“That is the popular wish of our people, the people of Kano State. This will also
go a long way in hastening growth and development of the state.
“The efforts didn’t get through many years ago, but now we are happy to see that
the idea would come into fruition.’’
He further explains that the development will allow the state to re-examine
history, insisting that the emirates were created to reduce the burden on the
Kano Emirate.
“The creation of the additional emirates will allow us to re-examine history, this is
not something new in Kano, it has happened before.
“We created emirates based on the aspirations and yearnings of our people. I am
sure this development will lead to rapid development in the affected areas.’’
The new law authorised the creation of four emirates with first class emirs.
The emirates are: Rano, Karaye, Bichi and Gaya.
Irrespective of Ganduje’s claim, analysts say it was targeted at the deposed Emir
of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, who is believed to have a frosty political
relationship with Ganduje.
Although efforts were made to stop the process of creating new emirates, all the
efforts failed.
Concerned citizens of the state had earlier expressed concern about the speed in
which the governor assented to the bill seeking the creation of more emirates.
Some of them weave up sentiments, recalling that in 1963, the Premier of
Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, dethroned Muhammadu Sanusi I, the
grandfather of Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Similarly, they recalled that former Gov. Abubakar Rimi in 1981, restricted
traditional homage paid by village heads to Ado Bayero and excised some
domains from his emirate.
In 1982, Rimi returned the dethroned Sanusi I to Wudil, near Kano and created
four new emirates, development critics said was designed to spite the emir.
Political analysts believe that Ganduje and the deposed emir have endured a
frosty relationship for quite some time because of the deposed emir’s political
views and criticisms of some of the governor’s policies and actions.
The deposed emir was accused of partisanship during the March 9, 2019
Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections in which Ganduje of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) won.
Outright winner did not emerge at first ballot; Ganduje polled 953,522 votes,
while Alhaji Abba Kabir-Yusuf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled
1,014,353 votes
The deposed emir was then accused of supporting Kabir-Yusuf, the preferred
candidate of Kwankwaso, a development many analysts believe to be the cause
of the emir’s challenge.
Creating more emirates, was therefore, perceived as an attempt to reduce the
powers of the emir.
The initial refusal of the deposed emir to appear before a panel that was
investigating allegations of corruption against him did not go down well with the
government.
Apart from this, the dethroned emir was accused of not attending state functions
and official meetings, which the government said amounted to “total
insubordination’’.
He was also accused of selling government property and mismanaging funds,but he secured a court order stopping the probe by the Kano Public Complaints
and Anti-Corruption Commission.
In spite of the court order, the Kano State House of Assembly began a fresh
probe of the deposed emir, and announced that the assembly received two
petitions against the deposed emir.
He was accused of unethical conduct that contradicted the culture and tradition
of Kano people.
The Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission had earlier
submitted a report to Kano State Government recommending the suspension of
the emir.
It further explained that the fresh investigation had nothing to do with alleged
mismanagement of N3.4billion by the Emirate Council.
But on March 9, a letter signed by Alhaji Usman Alhaji, Secretary to Kano State
Government, was addressed to Sanusi, informing him that he had been deposed
from the throne of Emir of Kano by the Kano State Government.
The letter stated that the Kano State Executive Council during its meeting on
March 9, approved of the action and directed the immediate removal and
dethronement of Sanusi as the Emir of Kano.
The letter further stated that the decision to depose the emir was taken due to
Sanusi’s alleged general “disrespect’’ to lawful instructions from the authorities.
Also, the letter stated that the decision was to safeguard the sanctity, culture,
tradition and prestige of the Kano Emirate.
Sanusi accepted his removal in good faith.
He said: “I have been on this throne for almost six years and (in charge of) our
heritage. Today, the almighty Allah, who gave me the leadership, has destined to
take it back.
“As I always say, leadership has predetermined tenure; the days Allah destined
are numbered. When the days come to an end, one must leave; we have
accepted whatever Allah decides.
“We have agreed. We appreciate (God). We are happy and we know it is what is
best for us.
“We enjoin everyone to remain peaceful. We have directed our family, our
children and those that support us that whoever gets it and is endorsed by the
people they should pay allegiance to him.
“They should follow him (the new emir). They should guard his honour and
dignity because that is also the honour and dignity of this palace.
“It is a thing of pride that made us to rule and end in the same fashion as Halifa.”
Sanusi was `banished’ to Nasarawa State, but later got his freedom via a court
order, to live in a place of his choice, except Kano. He decided for Lagos.
time will tell, whether or not there will be another Bakin-Zuwo, to revert theaction. (NANFeatures)
