Commendations have trailed the return of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi 11 to the saddle as Emir of Kano, four years after he was deposed.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf announced his reinstatement after consulting with the kingmakers of the Emirate Council as prescribed by tradition.

In May 2019, the House of Assembly approved the amendment of the Kano State Emirate Council Law, which paved the way for the balkanisation of the emirate.

The legislation was purportedly conceived to whittle down the powers of then Emir of Kano.

Subsequently, Abdullahi Ganduje, then governor, signed the bill into law. With it, Kano was divided into five emirates — Kano, Rano, Gaya, Karaye and Bichi — with Emirs appointed into each emirate.

In March 2020, Ganduje deposed Sanusi as Emir of Kano “for total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the governor.”

But at a media briefing at the Government House, yesterday, Governor Yusuf declared that all appointments made in accordance with the repealed Kano Emirate Council Law have been voided.

He specifically declared that all the five Emirs, namely of Kano, Rano,Gaya Karaye and Bichi appointed under the repealed Kano Emirate Law have been relieved of their positions and ranks.

He, therefore, gave the deposed Emirs 48 hours to vacate their offices and palaces, ordering them to hand over all official property belonging to the emirates to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.

While signing the Bill into law, the governor expressed satisfaction that the new law will bring unity to the people of Kano and foster sustainable socio-economic development.

Governor Yusuf further articulated that the return of Muhammad Sanusi II on throne will propel peace and prosperity adding that the repeal of the council law was in realisation of his campaign commitments to restore the lost glory of the state and its rich cultural heritage.

He emphasised that the signing of the bill symbolised the restoration of the revered legacy of the Kano emirate, which has withstood the test of time of over a thousand years.

The governor urged the populace to continue supporting his administration in delivering a multitude of infrastructural advancements that will propel Kano to greater heights.

“Everyone should go about his or her normal activities in the state, we have done what we believe is in the best interest of the state and its people.”

Under the new Kano Emirate Repeal law 2024, Kano State is now under one emirate.

In the meantime, the announcement of Sanusi as the new Emir has been greeted with excitement by the people of the state and beyond.

Preparatory to the announcement, vehicular traffic was reduced on major streets and junctions while various groups of people were spotted in various small cells discussing the development.

A resident of Gwale area inside the city, Mallam Bashir Usman, told Daily Sun that the people were already used to the fact that the new government would reinstate Sanusi adding that that had killed the shock effect of news of his reinstatement.

When this Correpsondent visited the palace in the state capital, people were discussed in hush tones.

A source said all activities previously billed for the day were cancelled after the announcement of the passage of the new law by the House. “They were supposed to be a Durbar horse riding display for the ECOWAS Parliamentarians in the palace, but it was cancelled.”

Over 150 police personnel were at the Emir’s palace to provide security to the palace and its residents. Security personnels were also present around the Government House area and in some key junctions in the state capital. (Excerpted from a Daily Sun report)

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