Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has firmly dismissed speculation that the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, could be removed following his recent political realignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Friday through his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, the governor said there was “absolutely no plan or agreement” to alter the status of the Kano Emirate or remove Sanusi from the throne.
“There is no plan to replace Emir Sanusi,” Bature said. “His appointment followed the repeal of the emirates law, and there is no intention at the executive level to amend that law again. Emir Sanusi remains the Emir of Kano. There is no move, no intention to substitute him.”
He described the renewed rumours as baseless and the handiwork of individuals “who do not mean well for Kano State,” urging the public to disregard them.
Bature stressed that the traditional institution remains non-partisan, adding that Governor Yusuf’s actions were aimed at restoring the dignity and integrity of the emirate, not politicising it.
“What His Excellency did was to restore the lost glory of the traditional institution,” he said. “People must understand the clear distinction between politics and tradition.”
On whether the government was engaging with the camp of former Emir Aminu Ado Bayero or others opposed to Sanusi’s reinstatement, Bature said no such engagement had begun, though the administration was appealing for peace.
“We appeal to him and his supporters, in the interest of peace, stability and economic prosperity of Kano State, to distance themselves from claims of awaiting reinstatement,” he said.
The governor’s reassurance comes amid renewed tension surrounding Kano’s long-running emirate crisis, which has left the state with two rival claimants to the same throne. Sanusi continues to operate from the historic Gidan Rumfa palace, while Bayero remains at the Nassarawa mini-palace, each backed by competing political interests.
Sanusi was deposed in March 2020 under former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and replaced by Bayero. He was reinstated in May 2024 by Governor Yusuf following the passage of the Kano State Emirates Councils (Repeal) Law 2024, which dismantled the multi-emirate structure created in 2019 and restored Kano to a single-emir system.
Despite the repeal, Bayero has continued to lay claim to the throne, reportedly enjoying security backing, a situation that has deepened divisions within the ancient emirate and fractured royal loyalties.
Speculation intensified earlier this week after Yusuf defected to the APC, aligning with Ganduje, widely seen as Bayero’s political ally. The move also widened the rift between Yusuf and his former mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, under whose influence Sanusi was believed to have secured his reinstatement.
Fuel was added to the rumours after the Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, hinted that the “two emirs” stalemate might soon be resolved, sparking claims that Sanusi could face a second removal.
However, the governor on Friday categorically rejected such claims, insisting the emirate matter was never part of negotiations surrounding his defection.
“The emirate issue is not political,” Bature said. “It is the personal interest of some individuals. The governor’s decision on this matter was taken long ago and remains unchanged.”
He also appealed to Bayero to avoid being drawn into political manoeuvring and to contribute to peace and stability in the state.
“This is a new era and a new beginning,” he added. “His Excellency is willing to engage with anyone who genuinely wants to contribute to Kano’s development. Kano comes first—above personal interests and politics.”
