Nigeria’s Emir of Kano dethroned

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has been removed from his throne, local media reported on Monday.

 

The Nigerian most influential Muslim traditional leader was deposed for showing “insubordination” to the authorities in the northern state of Kano, an official statement said.

 

The statement read, “The Kano State Executive Council under the Chairmanship of his Excellency, the Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has unanimously approved the immediate removal/dethronement of the Emir of Kano Emirate Muhammad Sanusi II.”

 

“The Emir of Kano is in total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the state Governor and other lawful authorities, including his persistent refusal to attend official meetings and programs organized by the Government without any lawful justification which amounts to total insubordination.”

 

Mr Sanusi, an ex-central bank chief, has had frosty relations with Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje since 2017.

 

His supporters believe he was sacked for opposing Mr Ganduje’s re-election last year.

 

The Emir has been removed from the palace in the city of Kano by security forces. As tradition goes, he will live in exile outside the emirate for the rest of his life.

 

Aminu Ado Bayero, the son of Mr Sanusi’s predecessor who ruled Kano for more than half a century until his death in 2014, has been chosen as the new emir by the local authorities.