Kano, Nigeria — Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has injected fresh uncertainty into the long-running Kano emirship crisis, raising questions over whether the political shift will finally resolve the dispute or further complicate an already fragile situation.
For nearly two years, Kano has witnessed an unprecedented royal standoff, with two emirs laying claim to the same historic throne. Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II operates from the traditional Gidan Rumfa Palace, while the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, remains at the Nassarawa mini-palace, each backed by opposing political and institutional forces.
Origins of the Crisis
The crisis dates back to March 2020, when then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje dethroned Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi over alleged insubordination and installed Aminu Ado Bayero as his replacement. Critics, however, linked the move to political differences, particularly Sanusi’s perceived closeness to Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
In May 2024, the pendulum swung again. Governor Yusuf’s NNPP-led administration repealed the 2019 emirate law, scrapped the five emirates created under it, and reinstated Sanusi as the sole Emir of Kano. The decision triggered renewed legal battles, with Bayero challenging his removal in court.
Defection Alters Political Calculations
Governor Yusuf’s move to the APC has reshaped the political equation. His alignment with figures such as Abdullahi Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, both believed to support Bayero, has fueled speculation that the emirship dispute could be revisited as part of broader political reconciliation.
The defection also marked a clear break from Yusuf’s former political mentor, Kwankwaso, under whose influence Sanusi was widely believed to have regained the throne.
Government Signals Dialogue
Speculation intensified after the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, hinted at the possibility of dialogue.
“Now we will sit down and resolve such problems calmly. There will be discussions; where apologies are needed, they will be offered, and where forgiveness is required, it will be granted,” Waiya said during a radio programme.
His remarks were widely interpreted as a signal that political engagement, rather than prolonged litigation, may be explored.
Governor Insists Sanusi Remains Emir
Amid growing speculation, Governor Yusuf moved to clarify his position, insisting there was no plan to remove Emir Sanusi.
Speaking through his spokesman, Sanusi Bature, the governor said Sanusi’s reinstatement followed due legal process and remains valid.
“Emir Sanusi remains the Emir of Kano. This defection to the APC will not change the status quo,” Yusuf stated.
Bayero Camp Rejects Negotiation
Despite the assurances, the camp of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero has dismissed any suggestion of political settlement.
Aminu Babban Dan Agundi, Sarkin Dawakin Babba and a key figure in the legal challenge, insisted the matter is strictly for the courts.
“There is no negotiation that can lead to the removal of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero. Only the courts have the authority to decide,” he said.
Legal Experts: Settlement Still Possible
Legal analysts, however, argue that a settlement is still legally possible.
Barrister Umar Usman Dan Baito, a lecturer at Northwest University, Kano, noted that Nigerian law allows parties to settle disputes at any stage.
“Even at the Supreme Court, parties can resolve a matter through Alternative Dispute Resolution. Once adopted by the court, the case ends,” he explained.
Uncertain Road Ahead
While Yusuf’s defection to the APC could open channels for political consensus, it has also deepened mistrust among rival camps. With court judgments still pending and political interests intersecting with traditional authority, the Kano emirship crisis remains delicately balanced.
Whether the latest political realignment will pave the way for peace or prolong the standoff now depends on how dialogue, legal processes, and traditional reconciliation unfold in the coming weeks.
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