Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State announced the reinstatement of the deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, as part of fulfilling a key campaign promise. This decision comes four years after Sanusi's controversial dethronement.

On Thursday, Governor Yusuf signed a bill repealing the State Emirate Council Law of 2019, which had created five emirate councils under the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. This repeal dissolves the four additional emirates and removes all five emirs.

Sanusi, who was dethroned in March 2020 by former Governor Ganduje, had faced accusations of insubordination and was forcefully removed from the throne. His dethronement sparked widespread controversy and was viewed by many as politically motivated. Sanusi, known for his outspoken nature and controversial views, had frequently clashed with the state government on various issues, including corruption and governance.

At the signing event, Yusuf emphasized that the new law reinstates Sanusi as the 14th Emir of Kano and removes the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, as well as the emirs of Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya. He stated that this move was part of his commitment to the residents of Kano State.

“The law provided an opportunity for the reinstatement of Muhammad Sanusi II and the removal of Aminu Ado Bayero, Nasir Ado Bayero, Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa, Ibrahim Abubakar II, and Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir,” Yusuf explained. He added that Sanusi’s return to the throne is expected to bring peace and prosperity to the state, and the repeal of the emirate council law is a step towards restoring Kano’s historical and cultural heritage.

Yusuf also issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the former emirs to vacate their palaces and hand over all emirate properties to the Deputy Governor. He expressed confidence that the new law would unify the people of Kano and promote sustainable socio-economic development.

“This bill signifies the restoration of the revered legacy of the Kano emirate, which has stood for over a thousand years,” Yusuf stated. He urged Kano residents to support his administration in its efforts to deliver infrastructural advancements and propel the state to greater heights.

The governor reassured the populace that his actions were in the best interest of the state. “We have done what we believe is in the best interest of Kano and its people. I want to inform everyone that today, we reappointed Sanusi Lamido Aminu Sanusi, known as Muhammadu Sanusi II, as the 16th Emir of Kano. The former emirs are expected to vacate their palaces within 48 hours and hand over all properties to the Commissioner for Local Government, who also serves as the Deputy Governor.”

Under the new Kano Emirate Repeal Law of 2024, Kano State is now consolidated under a single emirate, reinstating a historic governance structure and honoring the governor’s campaign promise to restore the state’s cultural and traditional legacy.