No fair hearing when I was dethroned by Ganduje- Emir Sanusi
By Innocent Raphael
Newly reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has revealed that he was not given a chance to defend himself before his dethronement, which was based on unspecified allegations of insubordination.
Sanusi, in an interview with Television Continental (TVC), expressed said he was deposed by former Kano Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje without fair hearing, an action leading to the fragmentation of the emirate.
Emir Sanusi made a historic return to the throne after being deposed in 2020, following a legislative repeal by the Kano State House of Assembly.
The Assembly, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, repealed the 2019 law that had split the Kano Emirate into five separate entities, paving the way for Sanusi’s reinstatement.
Reflecting on his return, Sanusi described it as a rectification of the injustice against the people, culture, and traditions of Kano.
He emphasized the historical significance of his reappointment as the 14th Emir of the unified Kano Emirate, a position he originally assumed in June 2014.
“In between that period, we did not have a single emirate. We had five balkanised emirates and this was an injustice to the history of Kano. It was an attack on our history, our culture, on our traditions, and it was an act of betrayal to our family,” Sanusi stated.
Sanusi also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his non-interference in the state’s internal matters, highlighting Tinubu’s respect for the constitution and separation of powers.
“I would also like to express my thanks to his excellency Alhaji Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu without whose principled stance of non-interference in the internal affairs of the state, this would not have been possible,” he said.
Sanusi sees his reinstatement as an opportunity to build on his previous tenure, acknowledging the lessons learned from past experiences.
He conveyed his appreciation for the chance to serve again, expressing his commitment to improving upon his previous work.
“We all learn from our mistakes and it is our responsibility to improve on the things we did well and avoid those things we did not do well. Life is a continuous learning process. I’ve enjoyed the break of the last four years,” he concluded.
