Court suspends emir ruling, prolongs Kano opulent royal conflict as political tensions rise.
The court crisis surrounding the emirship of Kano persists: an appeal court has suspended the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir, reversing a state ruling issued in January. The federal high court’s decision maintains the “status quo ante bellum,” delaying final judgment and exacerbating tensions within Kano’s political and traditional elite.
Sanusi’s reinstatement in May 2024 by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf led to a bitter royal feud with Aminu Ado Bayero’s faction, who still enjoy federal backing. Meanwhile, Sanusi himself has criticized economic policies under President Tinubu from Lagos, hinting at possible political ambitions ahead of the 2027 general election. The emir’s symbolic influence among northern voters cannot be underestimated.
Observers suggest that the reinstatement battle transcends traditional rulership—it reflects jockeying between APC and NNPP politicians aiming to win over Kano’s significant electoral bloc. Both ruling parties and opposition factions have employed legal and political channels to assert influence over the emirate, anticipating its sway over the next national elections.
As the judicial limbo continues, residents of Kano face a destabilizing cultural clash. Monarchists warn that ongoing uncertainty undermines traditional governance structures, while politicians view the situation as a strategic tussle for future political capital.
I'm Adedayo Obadina
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