SLS Reinstatement: How Ganduje Masterminded the Perpetual Confusion in the Historic Emirate of Kano

First of all, I congratulate all those who found ecstatic felicity following the reinstatement of HRH Sanusi Lamido, as being reportedly disclosed that Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has finally and officially signed the ‘bill’ to review the Law which gave room for the Former Governor, Ganduje to dethrone Sunusi Lamido Sunusi and equally separated the Emirate into other units, headed by different Chiefs.

In his statement, Governor Abba Yusuf reinstated SLS, abolished those Emirates that were created out of rational or constitutional inference by the previous administration, and even gave an ultimatum of 48 for the deposed Emirs of Gaya, Bichi, Karaye, and Rano to vacate from their palaces. This also came following the judicious preview of the ‘Law’ by the Kano State House Assembly which resulted in the latest decision.

Well, this might not have gone well with many people in Kano and even beyond. But the decision is necessary. Because, the review of that Law was one of the promises of Governor Yusuf when he was staging for the campaign, and now he has unfailingly kept it.

Notwithstanding, I have said times without a number that, Ganduje is the one to be cursed and held responsible for whatever happened or will later happen about the issue of the Emirate of Kano that has now turned out to be like child’s play.

Since becoming the vassal state of Sokoto Caliphate after the Jihad of Ɗanfodio in 1805, down to the advent of colonial masters and the introduction of political activities during Hug Clifford in 1922, there had never been an individual who destroyed the well-revered image of Kano Emirate like Former Governor Ganduje.

He used power while serving as a Governor to dethrone SLS. Most regrettably, his indispensable decision was purely political. He did that to frustrate SLS (whom Ganduje considered to be an opponent for certainly telling him the truth) as well as the political adherents of the Kwankwasiyya movement in Kano State.

To Ganduje, removing Sanusi and establishing other Kingdoms or Emirates would showcase how manipulative and politically powerful he was, without thinking that “democratic power is transient” which rotates from certain individual to another as said by political thinkers.

Meanwhile, if Ganduje is to be interrogated, I am sure that he can never explain the reason why he mindlessly signed the bill which yet, and will forever continue to engender confusion as far as the Emirate of Kano is concerned.

His malevolent shenanigans and irrational malfeasance, particularly, about the Kano Emirate were politically motivated. He did that solely, to frustrate certain individuals whom he had or has a political grudge against—without him knowing how damaging his impulsive decision would be to the historic existence of Kano Emirate.

Ideally, traditional institutions were known to be independent. Even during the pre-colonial and colonial eras, we read that the traditional rulers and chiefs only guided or suggested where necessary, but their roles had no business with political trends.

So hard to say, but Ganduje’s initial decision to dethrone Emir Sunusi for arguably political accomplishment was the most unwisely imprudent, politically brutal, and traditionally infamous decision that one can ever witness in the history of Kano. Our late ancestors will never forgive Ganduje for that.

Nevertheless, the political leaders should henceforth be cautioned of every decision they make. Some decisions are better never enacted, because their aftermath consequences may not be fixable. After all, we pray that the reinstallment of Emir Sanusi Lamido will be for the good of Kano and all mankind.

24th May, 2024