Kano Emirship: Anxiety as Sunusi’s Portrait Reappears in Coronation Hall

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano.

Anxiety is already building up in Kano over the fate of the five Emirs installed by the immediate past governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as the portrait of the dethroned Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi 11, has reappeared at Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.

Ganduje had dethroned Emir Sanusi, over alleged insubordination.

But Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration, had upon inception, removed the portraits of Emir of Kano, Emir of Bichi, Emir of Karaye, Emir of Rano, and Emir of Gaya, from Coronation Hall of the Government House.

Though there were feelers that Yusuf’s administration  was making moves to reverse the dethronement of Sanusi Muhammad 11, the governor had denied it through a Press Statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

The Hall, which was built by a former governor of the state, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in 2014 has been undergoing renovation works in order to give it a new look.

After the removal of Sanusi as the 14th Emir by Ganduje in 2020, the deposed Emir’s portrait was removed and replaced with that of the current Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.

The reappearance of Sanusi’s portrait has been considered by many as a move by the state government heralding the comeback of the deposed Emir.

But in a reaction, Tofa, has explained that, the history of the coronation hall was synonymous to the 14th emir of Kano Malam Muhammadu Sanusi.

“The Coronation hall was built for the presentation of staff of office after Sanusi was crowned as the emir succeeding late Alhaji Ado Bayero in 2014 during the administration of Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

“So, traditionally, his picture shall remains there forever. Bringing back the picture of the 14th is part of the ongoing rehabilitation to give the Coronation hall a face lift,” he said.