Breaking: New law reinstates Sanusi as Emir of Kano, dethrones Bayero, four other emirs

The Kano State Emirate Council Law (Amendment Bill) 2024, passed by the State House of Assembly on Thursday, technically dethroned Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir of Kano.

The new law recognizes former CBN governor Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano.

Since then, Sanusi’s portrait has adorned the giant wall of the Coronation Hall of Government House, Kano, while the removal of Aminu Bayero’s signaled Sanusi’s return to the palace.

The House of Assembly amended Kano State Emirates Council Law 2024 (1441 A.H.) after the bill scaled third reading on Thursday.

“All traditional office holders and title holders elevated or appointed to an office created under the repealed principal law, dated December 5, 2019, shall revert to their position where such positions previously existed under recognized custom and traditions prior to the enactment of the repealed principal law, dated December 5, 2019.

“The Commissioner responsible for Local Government shall oversee all transitional arrangements, including how best to deal with the assets and liabilities of the abolished emirates and the new structure created under the repealed principal law dated December 5, 2019.

“The governor shall take all necessary measures to restore the status of the Kano Emirate System to its positions prior to the enactment of the repealed principal law dated December 5, 2019,” the Act said.

Governor Abba Yusuf is expected to give assent to the amended law on Thursday before making any announcements.

Aminu Bayero reportedly fled the palace to Ijebu on Wednesday, May 22, and is currently in Ilorin.

Sanusi, who became emir in the final term of Kwankwaso’s governorship, was dethroned by outgoing Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who was deputy governor at the time the monarch was installed.

On March 9, 2020, authorities removed Sanusi, the 14th emir of Kano, banished him from Kano, and sent him to Loko, a remote community in Nasarawa State.

Investigators probed the expenses of the Kano emirate under his leadership.

The Ganduje administration also added four new emirates to make it five — Bichi, Karaye, Rano, Gaya, and Kano, all first-class emirs.