There is only one Emir of Kano seat but two kings sit in it. First is Aminu Ado Bayero who was recently deposed via legislation and Muhammed Sanusi II who was reinstalled in place of him. A combination of these two has created a split in the heart of an ancient city with supporters caught on both sides.

When the Kano State House of Assembly members passed The Kano Emirates Council Law (repeal bill) 2024 on Thursday, it was thought as a move to right the wrong of the past by returning one time deposed Muhammed Sanusi to his position, which coincidentally meant the entire city returning to the old formation of five districts Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye under one king.

The way things have unfolded as of Monday 27 May, purely suggests an indefinite arm wrestling between both Emirs. Aminu Ado Bayero spotted guests at an annex palace in Nasarawa State. His arrival at this venue over the weekend prompted reactions from Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf asking the police to arrest Emir Bayero even though this was ignored.

At the palace yesterday, a séance-like snapshot captures the monarch looking official in his dominion over the visiting guests. He can rely on a Federal High Court interim court, which insisted that the governor stay the execution of a newly passed legislation restoring Muhammed Sanusi to his post.

So far, what has transpired has been the flaunting of judicial authority, and it may seem, legislative authority too in the eyes of supporters favouring Aminu Ado Bayero to remain in his post.

A suit filed by the Sarkin Dawaki Babba last Thursday had gained the court’s consent for Sanusi’s reinstatement to be put on hold, but this was controversially refused by Governor Yusuf, hence the disobedience exhibited by the Kano State Police Command towards his request to have Emir Bayero arrested.

ALSO READ: Looks like Muhammed Sanusi II return as Emir of Kano is so close

Crowds of supporters have frowned against the new Emir Sanusi II parading himself as Kano’s supreme monarch because they think his reappointment is a breach and so they do not wish to accept it. Yesterday, they were holding placards reading Abba Kabir Yusuf, Obey Court Order and Aminu is still our Emir to show where their heart lies.

The controversy over who should be the Emir of Kano found a way to spread its roots to National Security Adviser Mallam Nubu Ribadu. This is a result of an accusation by Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo alleging that the NSA had provided the private jet that flew Emir Bayero back to Kano after visiting the southwest and the Awujale, the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Ogun State, Oba Sikiru Kayode, to mark the latter’s 90th birthday celebration and 64th year on the throne.

A letter originating from Mallam Ribadu’s legal counsel and addressed to the deputy governor reads that our client and his office take your allegations seriously and by this letter, our client is demanding that you provide irrefutable evidence to substantiate your claims.

If you have no proof, our client demands you to within 24 hours retract the libellous allegation in a similar manner you made it as well as give it wide media circulation and issue a public apology in five national dailies with wide national coverage and on popular online platforms.

Note that if you fail to do so, our client will be compelled to seek redress in a court of law.

It was worth noting where the deterioration of long-term Kano peace started. It began with the former Governor of Kano Abdullahi Umar Ganduje coming to depose Emir Muhammed Sanusi II in March 2020, and then going on to appoint Emirs to four other districts adjoining Kano, thereby altering up to 1000 years of uniformity and central traditional authority that a single Emir of Kano provided.

The reason for removing Emir Sanusi II, then the 14^th monarch to sit on the throne, was based on reports of insubordination which subsequently dispersed his family and sent him to exile in Nasarrawa State.

Away from the royal institution, the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor until his recent change of fortunes, had been supporting the United Nations goals aiming to drive productivity on the African continent.