The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, is reportedly planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that has reignited concerns over the longstanding emirate crisis in the state. The emirate crisis, which began in 2020, involves a dispute between Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and Aminu Ado Bayero, with both claiming the throne of the Kano Emirate.
The crisis deepened when former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje dethroned Sanusi and installed Bayero, following the passage of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law. However, when Governor Yusuf took office in 2023 under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), his administration repealed the emirate law, restored the single Kano Emirate, and reinstated Sanusi. Bayero, however, refused to relinquish his claim to the throne and has been residing at the Nassarawa mini palace in Kano under heavy security protection.
The planned defection of Governor Yusuf to the APC has sparked anxiety among supporters of both emirs, with some fearing that it could lead to a reversal or weakening of the forces that restored Sanusi to the throne. On the other hand, supporters of Bayero see the rumored defection as an opportunity for renewed legal and political contestation.
According to Sumner Sambo, Editor for Politics at Arise News, the defection could deepen the emirate crisis and pose serious security risks. Sambo noted that the situation has created two power centers within the Kano emirate, with Bayero being perceived as the “federal Emir” and Sanusi as the “state Emir.” He warned that a defection by Governor Yusuf to the APC could further weaken Sanusi’s position, particularly in terms of security, as he currently lacks formal police protection and relies on local vigilantes.
Nduka Odo, a public affairs analyst, said that the fate of the two emirs hangs in the balance, depending on the political relationship between the state and federal governments. He criticized the judiciary for failing to conclusively resolve the emirship crisis, allowing political actors to influence the fate of revered traditional stools.
The President of the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), Olu Omotayo, blamed the prolonged emirate crisis on the failure of the judiciary to act decisively. He questioned why courts have taken so long to resolve the matter, which has direct implications for peace in Kano State. Omotayo also criticized the existence of two emirs in Kano, describing it as an abnormality that undermines governance.
The Kano emirate crisis remains a sensitive issue, with the planned defection of Governor Yusuf to the APC potentially exacerbating the situation. The judiciary’s failure to resolve the matter has raised concerns about access to justice for ordinary citizens and the ability of the courts to address sensitive and urgent issues. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the emirate crisis will be resolved and what implications it will have for the people of Kano State.
