One turbulent week for new Emir Sanusi

The confusion started hours before Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was declared as the successor of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, when rumours went round that the Sanusi Ado Bayero, the eldest son of the late emir, had been selected by the state government after considering the recommendation of the Kano Emirate kingmakers. Names […]

The confusion started hours before Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was declared as the successor of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, when rumours went round that the Sanusi Ado Bayero, the eldest son of the late emir, had been selected by the state government after considering the recommendation of the Kano Emirate kingmakers.
Names of the trio of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Sanusi Ado Bayero and the Wamban Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, were submitted to the state government by the four kingmakers of the emirate council. The state governor, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had penultimate Saturday pledged to announce the name of new the emir on Sunday.
At about 10.00am last Sunday, children of the late emir and palace aides were seen rejoicing over the news of the selection of Sanusi Ado Bayero in the palace. From the palace, the news traversed the nooks and crannies of the ancient city of Kano.  
The news of Sanusi Ado Bayero’s selection became stronger around 11.00am when a message was sent to him to dress in ceremonial royal regalia in preparation for his turbaning. At about that time, the former CBN governor was seen leaving the palace looking dejected.
The former CBN governor left the palace exactly 11.05am and that was his last appearance there as Dan Majen Kano. His departure lent credence to the speculation  that the Ado Bayero have had their way.
It was discovered later in the day that all the contenders for the stool got directives to dress up for the ceremony. One of the senior palace aides said the tradition demands that all the contenders be directed to dress in ceremonial attire before the announcement of the new emir.
Apparently, the former CBN boss too left the palace following the nod he got. As the news kept flying in the town, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headquarters in Abuja added insult to the injury when it issued a statement congratulating Sanusi Ado Bayero.
Like a wildfire, the news went viral on social media across the country. A popular private television whose proprietor is close to the Federal Government also announced Sanusi Ado Bayero as the new emir of Kano. The development brought about jubilation at the palace.
The apparent delay in the announcement of the name of the new emir by the state government further deepened the situation. It was compounded when the former CBN governor reportedly tweeted on his Twitter handle that one of his brothers had emerged the emir.
However, this was deflated by 4.45pm when the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi, summoned newsmen to the chamber of the Kano State government house for a press conference.
Flanked by the four kingmakers, Bichi announced the selection of the former CBN as the new emir. He said the state governor, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, chose him following the recommendation by the four kingmakers.  
Shortly after the announcement, protest erupted in the state metropolis, with Kofar Kudu where Kano Emir’s palace is situated badly affected. Soon, it snowballed to other areas as protesters attempted to enter the government house where the declaration was made.
While the protest was going on, the news of the banning of landing and flying of private jets at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport was announced by the military.
Caught in the web was the River State Governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, who was in the state to condole the people and government of the state over the death of the emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero.
The development forced Amaechi and other top members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who were in the state to use alternative means of transportation.  Amaechi and his co-travellers left Kano by road to Abuja around 8.00p.m.
The banning of the private jets was the first among other  actions that were seen as onslaught which followed the emergence of the new emir of Kano. Allegedly, the action was taken by the Federal Government to stop dignitaries from paying congratulatory visits to Sanusi, a perceived enemy of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
Jonathan suspended Sanusi as CBN governor months ago, following allegation by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC).
The controversial suspension came after Sanusi hard accused the NNPC of failing to remit 20 billion to the federation account. A charge the NNPC had denied.
On Monday, Sanusi was issued appointment letter by Kwankwaso, in line with the state’s Chiefs Appointment and Deposition Law of 1984 as the 14th Emir of Kano under the Sullubawa clan.  
After receiving the appointment letter, the relocation of the new Emir to palace was fixed for the following day, Tuesday.
As the government and palace workers were preparing to move the emir to the palace, the Federal Government deployed security operatives comprising policemen and soldiers to the palace. The palace was sealed off reportedly on the orders of President Jonathan.
The blockade of the palace forced the new emir to remain in the government house in ‘President Naseer Lodge’. It was in the lodge that he received all the personalities that trooped to the state in order to congratulate him.
It was also in the lodge that the emir received symbols of authority, including the official royal staff of office, the twin red and green coloured spears (Tagwayen Masu), a pair of Ostrich-feathered shoes, the royal hat of Dabo (Malafar Dabo), a short knife, a sword and the official royal robe of the late Emir Alhaji Ado Bayero.
Apparently angered by the development, the Federal Government on Wednesday withdrew security attached to the government house, a situation that forced the state government to engage the services of vigilante. From then, vigilante and members of the state Hisbah board have been in charge of security at the government house.
On Thursday evening, President Jonathan bowed to pressure from Northern elders as he withdrew security operatives stationed at the palace.
Since his ascension to the throne, he has been confined to Kano government house following the numerous onslaughts by the Federal Government.
On Friday, which marks the seventh day prayers for late Emir, Ado Bayero were performed at the government house. Our correspondent reports that on Friday number of policemen at the government house increased when compared to on Wednesday when only 15 policemen were counted there.
This development shows that the battle is over between the Emir and the Federal Government. The fight has been a tripartite one, with Kwankwaso, Sanusi on one side and President Jonathan on the other side.
Sanusi was able to realise his lifelong dream of stepping into the shoes of his grandfather, Muhammadu Sanusi, the 11th Emir of Kano. Since his ascension to the throne, the 52-year-old emir has been swimming in confusions reportedly orchestrated by the Federal Government.