Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has extended his congratulations to His Royal Highness, Muhammad Sanusi II, on his reinstatement as the 14th Emir of Kano.
The announcement was made in a statement released on Thursday by Nelson Chukwudi, the Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor.
Governor Fubara expressed his excitement over the news of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor’s reinstatement. This significant development coincided with Sanusi’s visit to Rivers State, where he was actively supporting the administration’s efforts to revitalize the state’s economic landscape.
Fubara emphasized that the reinstatement of Muhammad Sanusi II by the Kano State Government highlights the widespread dissatisfaction with his dethronement on March 9, 2020. The Governor described the dethronement as an “unjust act” against the millions of Kano State residents who valued Sanusi’s leadership.
Commending the Kano State Government for addressing the people’s demands and correcting past wrongs, Governor Fubara called on the residents of Kano to fully support the newly reinstated Emir.
He also encouraged Emir Muhammad Sanusi II, the spiritual leader of the Tijanniyah Sufi order in Nigeria, to guide the order’s over 50 million adherents with love, wisdom, and courage. The Governor expressed his hope that Sanusi’s leadership would bring lasting peace, justice, equity, and fairness to the city of Kano.
Governor Fubara concluded his message by wishing the 14th Emir of Kano a successful and fruitful reign, one that would bring progress and prosperity to the people of the state.
Muhammadu Sanusi II Reinstated
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano, four years after his deposition. The decision, announced on Thursday, follows the signing of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law.
“With the full support of the kingmakers, I have approved the reappointment of Malam Sanusi Lamido,” Governor Yusuf declared.
The new legislation replaces the Kano State Emirates Council Law of 2019 and dissolves the additional emirate councils created by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. In December 2019, Ganduje established the emirates of Karaye, Bichi, Rano, and Gaya alongside Kano and subsequently dethroned Sanusi II in March 2020 after a protracted dispute.
Earlier on Thursday, the Kano State Assembly passed the repeal bill into law during a plenary session. Deputy Speaker Muhammad Butu explained that revoking the law aims to restore Kano’s historical prestige, which he said was diminished by the division into five emirates.
“This bill in its entirety has abrogated the establishment of the five new emirates in the state and reverted to the former status of a single Emir in Kano, which we inherited since the Jihad of Shehu Usman Dan Fodio,” stated Majority Leader Lawal Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa after the repeal was enacted.
Yan Gurasa emphasized that the abolished emirates had created unnecessary divisions among Kano’s people, undermining the unity that had prevailed for centuries. “The unity which was visible for thousands of years in Kano was divided. We are now reverting to our old historical background; one Kano, one people, one Emir,” he affirmed.