Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In Kano State, renewed political maneuvering by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has reignited longstanding tensions surrounding the Kano Emirate crisis, raising questions about the future of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. The governor’s recent resignation from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and his alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have fueled speculation that the political shift could influence the outcome of the protracted traditional leadership dispute. However, the state government has publicly dismissed any suggestion that the emir’s position is under threat, insisting that the crisis will not be resolved through the removal or replacement of Sanusi.
The controversy stems from a dispute that has gripped Kano for nearly two years, rooted in federal‑state political dynamics and changes to the emirate structure made in 2020. At the centre of that earlier crisis, then‑Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje dissolved the centuries‑old single Kano Emirate and created multiple emirates, leading to the deposition of Sanusi and installation of Aminu Ado Bayero as one of the new first‑class emirs. When Governor Yusuf assumed office in 2023, he repealed the laws instituting the multiple emirates and reinstated Sanusi as the sole Emir of Kano, overturning Ganduje’s decisions. That action, backed by legislation passed by the Kano State House of Assembly, reignited legal and political friction between state and federal authorities, courts and traditional institutions.
Despite the lawyered‑up deadlock and competing claims to the traditional throne, Yusuf’s recent political repositioning toward the APC — the party of President Bola Tinubu — has triggered intense debate among political operatives, traditional stakeholders and observers of northern Nigerian affairs. Some analysts have warned that the governor’s defection could shift the balance of influence between state executives and federal power brokers, with ramifications for the emirate dispute. Critics of the current arrangement suggest that federal‑level actors aligned with the APC and the ousted Ado Bayero camp might see a political opening to revisit or contest Sanusi’s reinstatement.
Responding directly to these concerns, Governor Yusuf’s office issued categorical denials that any plan exists to remove or replace Emir Sanusi II. Yusuf’s spokesman emphasised that the emir’s appointment was effected under the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, which remains valid and unchanged, and that the governor’s political realignment has no bearing on traditional leadership arrangements. According to the government’s position, there is “absolutely no plan or agreement” to alter Sanusi’s status or to substitute him with any other figure, affirming that the emir “remains secure and unchanged” in his position.
The dispute over the emirship has been compounded by legal interventions. After the repeal of the multiple‑emirate law and Sanusi’s reinstatement, opponents of that move pursued litigation arguing the actions were unconstitutional. In March 2025, the Appeal Court in Abuja suspended enforcement of a lower‑court ruling that had nullified aspects of Sanusi’s reinstatement, pending a final Supreme Court determination. This status‑quo order has effectively maintained Sanusi’s position as Emir while the legal process unfolds at the highest judicial level.
Against this backdrop, voices within the Kano State Government and traditional councils have signalled an intent to resolve the emirate stalemate through dialogue rather than confrontation. State officials have indicated that the perceived alignment of political interests at the state and federal levels could create conditions conducive to a negotiated settlement, potentially ending the “two emirs” situation that has seen Sanusi at Gidan Rumfa Palace while Bayero has operated from the Nassarawa mini‑palace with his own supporters. The government claims steps have been taken toward lasting peace and stability, emphasising respect for the rule of law and the collective interests of Kano’s populace.
Supporters of Emir Sanusi have welcomed the government’s assurances, framing them as necessary to preserve continuity and stability within Kano’s traditional institution. They argue that any abrupt change in status, especially driven by shifting political affiliations, could inflame historical grievances and undermine social cohesion in the region. Conversely, proponents of Aminu Ado Bayero see the evolving political landscape as an opportunity to press their claims through legislative, judicial or negotiated means, underscoring the depth of division that still lingers around the emirate’s leadership.
This ongoing saga highlights the intricate interplay between politics and traditional authority in Nigeria’s northern states, where centuries‑old institutions intersect with modern party politics and state governance. For many observers, the emirate crisis exemplifies broader challenges facing Nigerian democracy: how to balance respect for historical cultural structures with the imperatives of constitutional governance and political plurality. It also illustrates how shifts in partisan alignment at the state level can resonate far beyond electoral calendars, affecting local power dynamics and community identities.
As Kano fans out preparations for future elections and navigates its internal disputes, the assurances from Governor Yusuf that Emir Sanusi’s position is secure may help to temper immediate concerns. However, the resolution of the emirate crisis ultimately hinges on sustained political negotiation, judicial clarification and the capacity of state and federal authorities to reconcile competing claims to authority. In the meantime, the people of Kano watch intently, mindful that the outcome will shape not only traditional leadership but broader social harmony in one of Nigeria’s most influential states.
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