Emirate tussle: I understand why Ado Bayero is hurt – Sanusi

Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 16th Emir of Kano, has spoken about the ongoing tussle between him and the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.

Both Emirs are laying claim to the throne. While Sanusi was reinstated by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Bayero is contesting his dethronement in the court.

Governor Yusuf had dethroned Bayero and four other Emirs and ordered them to hand over power within 48 hours.

But Bayero, who was out of Kano at the time the order was given, returned and moved into the mini palace in Nasarawa.

Irked by the development, Governor Yusuf ordered his immediate arrest.

The 15th Emir of Kano had headed for the court to challenge Yusuf’s action. Bayero also asked the court to nullify the law through which the governor deposed him and reinstated Sanusi.

In an interview with Saturday Sun, Sanusi said the beneficiaries of the former system feel hurt because they have been removed.

Although he did not specifically mention Ado Bayero. it was clear he was referring to him and others affected by the repealed law.

He said: “What we are dealing with is a situation where somebody divided us. And actually, when you create these things, some people get some privileges. They didn’t ask for it, but they’ve enjoyed it for four years.

“Now when they lose it, it’s a problem. But the problem is not what has happened today. It is what happened four years ago. If it had not been done, we would not be in this situation today. We are one family, we are one people. Somebody comes, divides us up. Even in this family, he takes one emirate, gives it to a part of the family. Now, when people enjoy it for four years and you take it away from them, it becomes a problem.

“When Ganduje wanted to create these Emirates, he could not find a law to amend. He started by amending Emirates Appointment and Deposition Law, which the court struck down. So, he had to, de novo, ex nihilo, out of nothing create a law and create emirates, new emirates that never existed.

“Something called a Kano Emirate with eight local governments. That emirate with eight local governments had not existed in our one thousand years of history. The same thing with the Bichi Emirate, Rano Emirate, Gaya Emirate. None of them existed in one thousand years of history.

“So, they had the stools for four years and a new governor came on board and said we have to deal with this attack on our system, on our collective history. And he says we cannot in the interest of preserving something with a history of four years abolish a history of one thousand plus years. He says let’s go back to the original order.

“That was all that happened. It was not targeted at any individual, at any family, at any person. But of course, the people who were beneficiaries of this would hurt. And we understand that. It is not their fault. But we cannot because we do not want to harm or hurt them and allow it to go on.

“So managing the situation is for all of us as citizens of Kano. As members of the royal family, it is for all of us to look at the big picture and see that what has been done has been done to restore the glory of our emirate and to protect our own history and custom. For me, even now that I am here, only God knows how long I will be here. I can die tomorrow.”