CurrentReport Blog In a recent statement that has stirred significant public interest, Sanusi Bature, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, asserted that Aminu Ado Bayero was never the true Emir of Kano. Instead, Bature clarified, Bayero was appointed as the Emir of the eight metropolitan local governments of Kano city by the former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
Speaking on Arise Television, Bature accused the previous administration of undermining the historic integrity of the Kano Emirate, an institution he claims predates Nigeria itself. According to Bature, Ganduje’s 2019 Emirate Law fractured the traditional emirate system by introducing political motivations into its governance.
“The Emirate of Kano is a heritage that spans over a thousand years, existing well before Nigeria or its constitution,” Bature emphasized during the interview. “Governor Ganduje’s actions were a blatant attempt to politicize and disrupt this longstanding institution. By appointing Bayero as the Emir of Kano city’s eight metropolitan areas, he essentially created a new entity, distinct from the traditional emirate.”
Bature argued that Bayero’s role was limited to a smaller jurisdiction and did not cover the full scope of Kano’s 44 local governments. This distinction, according to him, undermines Bayero’s claim to the title of Emir of Kano.
Governor Abba Yusuf has taken steps to address what his administration sees as a deviation from the traditional emirate’s legacy. One of his significant actions was the deposing of Aminu Ado Bayero and the reinstatement of Muhammed Sanusi as the Emir of Kano. This move, Bature noted, was in line with Yusuf’s campaign promise to restore the emirate’s historic prestige and unity.
“This is not the first time an Emir has been deposed in Kano,” Bature explained. “When Ganduje deposed Sanusi, he left Kano to maintain peace. Now, with the repeal of Ganduje’s law, Sanusi has returned, and the emirate as it was originally constituted is being restored.”
Despite his deposition, Aminu Ado Bayero has refused to vacate the Nassarawa Palace, a situation that has led to further complications. Bayero is currently contesting the state government’s decision in court, asserting his right to the position.
“The jurisdiction Bayero served under no longer exists,” Bature reiterated. “The Kano city Emirate was a creation of the 2019 law that fragmented the traditional emirate. With the revision and abolition of that law, his role as Emir of the metropolitan area has also been nullified.”
The ongoing legal and political battle over the leadership of the Kano Emirate reflects broader tensions between modern political influences and traditional governance structures in Nigeria. As the courts address Bayero’s challenge, the people of Kano await clarity on the future of their historic emirate.
Governor Yusuf’s administration remains committed to what it views as the preservation and respect of Kano’s long-standing cultural and historical identity, positioning the current developments as a restoration of the emirate’s past glory.
