Emir Sanusi: My Reinstatement Was Preordained by God

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has attributed his reinstatement to the will of God, expressing gratitude to the state government for what he called a “rescue mission.” Sanusi was reinstated on Thursday, and he received his appointment letter the following day, after Governor Abba Yusuf signed the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law. This reinstatement comes four years after his deposition by the previous governor of the North-West state, Abdullahi Ganduje.

Speaking at an event where he received his appointment letter from Governor Yusuf, Emir Sanusi emphasized that his reinstatement was an act of divine intervention. He reflected on the significance of the event, stating, “The Arabians used to say that in everything we witness, there is a lesson that shows us that God is there. Whatever happens to an individual is preordained by Allah, and for those who are sensible enough, it’s a lesson. God is one, and whatever He does, nobody can change, and what He doesn’t do, nobody can.”

Sanusi recalled a similar moment a decade ago, saying, “About 10 years ago, in this same place, former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso gave me my appointment letter as the Emir of Kano. Today, after 10 years, I am here again, receiving a reappointment letter from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.”

He reiterated his belief in divine timing, noting, “Whatever we needed to say, we said it when we were leaving. We made it clear that God has preordained the time and cause for everything and everyone. He gives leadership to whomever and whenever He wants. When He gives, no one can take it away, and when He takes it away, nobody can bring it back.”

Sanusi also expressed his gratitude to the governor and the members of the Kano State House of Assembly, whom he credited with conducting a “rescue mission” by reinstating him. He highlighted the historical significance of their actions, saying, “My Governor and our assembly members, you will not understand the gravity of what you did for the history of Kano and the country at large. Among Kano Emirs, it started in Bagauda over 1,000 years ago. In these years, there was only once that we had an Emir, Muhammadu Koguna, who was overthrown and came back after some days. This shows that in 1,000 years, there has been no case like what happened now.”

Sanusi pointed out the political fragmentation of emirates in northern Nigeria, warning against the potential consequences had such fragmentation been allowed to continue in Kano. He said, “In the northern part of this country, we have seen in different states how politicians have balkanized emirates, with a state with one emir becoming 20, some becoming 19. In the states of northern Nigeria, there are local governments with two or three first-class emirs, all because the system has been destroyed. This thing that has been brought to Kano, had it been allowed, one day we would wake up with the Emirs of Kumbotso, Bichi, Fagge, and 44 Emirs. So what the government and the assembly did was a rescue mission.”