Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State, has publicly recognised Muhammad Sanusi II as the emir of Kano. This action marks the first acknowledgement since his fallout with the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor.
Background of the Emirate Crisis
On May 23, 2024, Governor Abba Yusuf dethroned Ado Bayero as emir after state legislators repealed the 2019 State Emirate Council Law, a law enacted by the previous administration of Ganduje. The move reinstated Sanusi, who had been deposed by Ganduje in 2020.
Ado Bayero, however, refused to step down, claiming he had backing from Ganduje and the Federal Government. The situation took another turn when Governor Yusuf resigned from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and teamed up with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in January 2026.
Ganduje's Public Recognition
As reported by Daily Trust, Ganduje made the remark on Tuesday, May 5, during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Deputy Governor of Kano State, Murtala Sule Garo, held at the Government House, Kano. During his address, the former governor greeted Sanusi and referred to him by his full traditional title, a gesture that drew loud applause from dignitaries and guests at the event.
This marks the first time Ganduje has openly acknowledged Sanusi in that capacity since their widely publicised fallout.
Roots of the Rivalry
The Kano emirship crisis is deeply rooted in the rivalry between Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, an influential former governor of Kano State and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, and Ganduje, who is a one-time national chairman of the APC. Initially, as Kano governor in 2014, Kwankwaso appointed Sanusi as emir. However, in 2020, Ganduje, as Kano governor, dethroned Sanusi, citing insubordination. Ganduje split the Kano Emirate into five and appointed Bayero as the Emir of the main Kano Emirate.
In 2024, Kwankwaso's now-estranged mentee, Governor Yusuf, reversed Ganduje's actions. He said the decision was to 'restore the glory' of the old emirate and 'fulfil his campaign promise'. Governor Yusuf relied on a law passed by the House of Assembly to justify Sanusi's reinstatement. But the deposed emir's camp relied on Federal High Court rulings that stayed the implementation of that law, arguing that the process of dethronement violated his fundamental human rights.
Legal Proceedings
The case is awaiting a verdict from the Supreme Court. Per The Cable, the apex court has fixed Monday, April 19, 2027, for further hearing in the suit regarding the Kano emirate tussle. Aminu Babba Dan-Agundi, a senior member of the Kano Emirate Council, described the date as 'too far off,' adding that legal representatives of the appellant would explore the option of applying to the court to move the date closer.
Reactions and Analysis
Meanwhile, a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, said the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government ought not to get involved in who becomes the Emir of Kano. Omokri said the Kano state government and the judiciary are capable of resolving the royal tussle between Sanusi and the deposed emir, Bayero.
This development adds a new dimension to the ongoing succession dispute, with Ganduje's recognition of Sanusi potentially influencing the political dynamics in Kano State.
