By:
Chubado T. Babbi, PhD
The intricate saga surrounding the Kano Emirate has been a subject of public scrutiny and political manoeuvrings, culminating in the recent intervention by the Federal Government. At the heart of this saga lies the dethronement of the 14th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, by the then government of Kano State, under Governor Ganduje, on the 9th of March 2020, citing allegations of insubordination.
Subsequently, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero was appointed as the 15th Emir of Kano, while the government also created four additional Emirates.
However, the political landscape shifted with the advent of Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration, which viewed the treatment of HRH Sanusi as politically motivated. In a decisive move, the new government repealed the law that established the four additional Emirates and appointed HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano on the 24th of May 2024.
Central to the debate is the legality and rationale behind the actions taken by the Kano State government. While the repeal of the law creating the additional Emirates appears justified, the decision to remove HRH Aminu Ado Bayero, who presided over an existing Emirate without apparent cause, raises questions about due process and fairness. What transgression warranted his removal remains a perplexing question.
Furthermore, instead for the state government to maintain the previous identity of Emir Sanusi as the 14th Emir of kano since it is a reinstatement issue, it went ahead and appointed him as the 16th Emir. This introduced complexities regarding the recognition of Aminu Ado Bayero’s tenure as the 15th Emir. This raises doubts about the consistency and coherence of the government’s actions, further muddying the waters of legitimacy.
A critical examination of the Kano Emirates Law 2024 (Repeal Bill) highlights the imprudence of tampering with existing Emirate before addressing the creation of additional ones. While the state assembly has powers to repeal the law that saw the creation of the four emirates, it could have allowed Kano Emirate to remain as it is. Analogously, the hypothetical scenario of reversing the creation of Jigawa State by a succeeding government after its creation, cannot in anyway affect the existence of Kano as a state.
Instead of precipitating a crisis by removing Aminu Ado Bayero without just cause, the Kano State government could have pursued alternative avenues, such as ‘fabricating’ charges against him to legitimize his removal. However, the failure to provide a compelling rationale for his removal casts a shadow of arbitrariness over the government’s actions.
Considering these complexities, the Federal Government’s intervention emerged as a necessary step towards restoring order and upholding the rule of law in Kano. By intervening, the Federal Government seeks to mitigate the political tensions and uncertainties surrounding the Kano Emirate, thereby fostering peace and stability in the region.
As stakeholders in the future of Kano, it behooves both the government and its supporters to embrace the Federal Government’s intervention and prioritize the collective well-being of the ancient city. Only through a concerted effort to uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and inclusivity can Kano reclaim its status as a beacon of harmony and prosperity in Northern Nigeria.
Babbi is a public affairs analyst
Writes from Abuja
