At the recent Arewa Tech Fest held in Kano, one notable event that caught the attention was the announcement by El-Rufai of the reinstatement of the former Emir of Kano, Sanusi. The announcement sparked strong reactions and attracted the interest of major players in the local political scene.
Among the personalities present at the event were the governors of Kano, Katsina and Zamfara, Abba Yusuf, Dikko Radda and Dauda Lawal respectively. These leaders all took part in the lively discussions and debates that took place during the festival.
It will be recalled that Sanusi was removed from his title as Emir in 2020 by the former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje. The latter had reorganized the Kano Emirate by creating five new councils, namely Rano, Bichi, Karaye and Gaya, following an amendment to the Emirate Councils Act.
Ganduje had appointed senior emirs for the four new emirates and replaced Sanusi with Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Emir of Kano. However, this decision was reversed by the current governor after the Kano State House of Assembly repealed the Emirate Councils Act in May last year.
Yusuf abolished the new emirates and restored Sanusi to the throne as emir. Although the matter is currently being contested in court and the deposed former emir, Bayero, claims that his rights have been violated by the state government, El-Rufai expressed satisfaction with the developments.
The former governor also congratulated Sanusi on his reinstatement. This complex and turbulent political situation raises questions about the governance and stability of the region, but also about the issues related to tradition and the authority of the former ruling families.
Ultimately, the announcement of Sanusi’s reinstatement as Emir of Kano at the Arewa Tech Fest will remain a memorable moment in the recent history of the region, highlighting the tensions and issues that underlie the local political landscape.