In Kano, protests erupted in response to the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano. The demonstrations, which occurred in Gaya and Nasarawa, were fueled by various grievances.
Residents of Gaya expressed discontent over the dissolution of the Gaya Emirate by the state government. This move was initiated following the amendment of the Kano Emirates Council Law of 2019, which reversed the creation of additional emirates and the dethronement of Sanusi II by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in 2020.
After Governor Abba Yusuf signed the amendment bill into law, residents witnessed the departure of the dethroned emir from the palace without incident.
However, tensions escalated on Sunday as protesters flooded the streets, wielding placards and denouncing the government’s actions.
The protesters in Gaya voiced their concerns, alleging political motives behind the dissolution and demanding the reinstatement of their emirate and the removed emir. They viewed the government’s actions as an assault on their cultural heritage and called for the restoration of the Gaya Emirate.
Meanwhile, in Nasarawa, protesters demanded the removal of Sanusi II and the reinstatement of Aminu Ado Bayero as the Emir of Kano. They congregated near Bayero’s residence, chanting slogans and calling for change.
Governor Yusuf has yet to address the protests, but initial indications suggest that the government’s decision to dissolve the emirate councils is part of a larger strategy to centralize control over traditional leadership in Kano State.
As the situation unfolds, affected communities await further clarification and potential resolutions from state authorities.
