Former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Tuesday publicly recognised Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and chairman of the Kano State Council of Chiefs.
Ganduje made the acknowledgement during the swearing-in of the new deputy governor, Murtala Sule Garo, at the Government House in Kano. He greeted Sanusi using his full traditional title, eliciting loud applause from dignitaries and other attendees.
This is the first time Ganduje has openly recognised Sanusi in that capacity since their widely publicised fallout. In 2020, while serving as governor, Ganduje deposed Sanusi. Sanusi was later reinstated by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who removed Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero — the emir Ganduje had appointed. Ado Bayero initially resisted stepping down amid suggestions he had backing from Ganduje and the federal government.
Tensions shifted after Governor Yusuf’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) months ago. Sanusi was also permitted to hold the Sallah Durbar this year, a departure from earlier occasions when police had banned the event and summoned him over violence that occurred during the festivities.
