The Kano State
government has announced the appointment of Aminu Bayero as the new Emir of Kano.
The
appointment came after the dethronement of the Kano Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi.
Mr Bayero,
who is the son of late emir, Ado Bayero, was until his appointment the Emir of Bichi,
one of the controversial new emirates created by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
The Secretary
to the government of the state, Usman Alhaji accompanied by four Kano emirate
kingmakers made the announcement at the Kano government house.
Before
the state government announced Sanusi’s dethronement on Monday, there were
signs that a major decision was in the offing as heavily armed security agents
were drafted to the major parts of the city, including the palace of the
monarch.
Shortly
after Sanusi was deposed, more policemen led by the State Commissioner of Police,
Habu Sani, joined the security agents who had earlier been deployed in the Emir’s
palace.
Some
members of the public, who already converged on the premises, were dispersed by
the police.
Amidst
tight security, the dethroned emir was driven out of the palace in a black jeep
with no registration number at 5:36pm to the Mallam Aminu Kano international
airport from where he was taken to Nasarawa State, where he had been banished
to.
Meanwhile,
in a video message, which lasted over four minutes, Mr Sanusi accepted his
dethronement as an act of destiny.
“With
almost six years on this throne and (in charge of) our heritage. Today, the Almighty
Allah, who gave me the leadership has destined to take it back,” Mr Sanusi said.
“as i
always say, leadership has predetermined tenure, the days Allah destined are
numbered. When the days come to an end one must leave.
“we have
accepted whatever Allah decides. We have agreed. We appreciate (God). We are
happy and we know it is what is best for us.”
“we enjoin
everyone to remain peaceful. We have directed our family, our children and
those that support us that whoever gets it and is endorsed by the people they
should pay allegiance to him.
“they
should follow him (the new emir). They should guard his honour and dignity
because that is also the honour and dignity of this palace.”
In
affirming his ties to his grandfather who was deposed in similar way in 1963, Mr
Sanusi expressed happiness for practicing his reign in accordance with that of Emir
Sanusi i.
However, some stakeholders on political matters
have given justification for the decision taken by Kano state government.
Respondents including Head of Department, Political
Science, University of Ilorin, Dr Gbade Ojo and Baale of Ekotedo area of Ibadan,
Chief Taye Oyerinde said Sanusi was careless with utterances and that was a
part of behaviour which degenerated to his removal.
They added that actions of traditional rulers
should be guided by law.
Lilian Ibomor (With additional report from Premium
Times/Punch)
