Security was beefed up around the Emir’s palace and strategic places, including Government House area in Kano metropolis on Monday to safeguard lives and property after the deposition of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The Secretary to the Kano State Government (SSG), Alhaji Usman Alhaji, announced the removal of the embattled monarch at a news conference in the Government House on Monday.
Armed security personnel were deployed at the main entrance to the Government House monitoring the movement of people going along the State Road which leads to other parts of the city.
Visitors to the Government House were subjected to thorough check as part of measures to check unwanted visitors.
Prior to the removal of the monarch, armed security personnel were seen in convoy patrolling some major streets in a show of force and in readiness for any eventuality.
Meanwhile, the entire city has remained calm in spite of the removal of the Emir.
People went about with their normal businesses, while business premises operate without hindrance.
Similarly, major markets in the city remained open, while some petty traders closed their shops.
Meanwhile, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said Sanusi was removed because he was disrespectful.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, who spoke on behalf of Ganduje, also announced the unanimous decision of the council at a news conference on Monday in Kano.
According to the SSG, the persistent refusal of the Emir to attend official meetings and programmes organised by the government without any justification amounting to insubordination is part of what has informed his removal.
He said that it was on record that Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II had been found breaching Part 3 Section 13 (a-e) of the Kano State Emirate law 2019.
He said if such attitude was left unchecked, it would destroy the good and established image of the Kano Emirate.
“This removal is made after due consultation with the relevant stakeholders and in compliance with Part 3 section 13 of the Kano State Emirate law 2019 and other reasons stated above.
“The removal was reached to safeguard the sanctity, culture, tradition, religion and prestige of the Kano Emirate built over a thousand years.
“His Excellency, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has called on the general public to remain calm, law abiding and to go about their normal and lawful businesses, while a new emir of the Kano emirate would soon be appointed,” he said.
Sanusi, the 14th Emir of Kano under the Fulani dynasty, was appointed as the Emir of Kano on June 8, 2014.
He was born on July 31, 1961 in Kano to a ruling class Fulani family of the Sullubawa clan.
He was educated at King’s College, Lagos, where he graduated in 1977. He then proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1981.
He later received a masters degree in economics two years later from the university and lectured at the faculty.
His father, Aminu Sanusi, was a career diplomat who served as the Nigerian Ambassador to Belgium, China and Canada.
His grandfather, Muhammadu Sanusi I, was the 11th Emir of Kano from 1953 until 1963, when he was deposed by his cousin Sir Ahmadu Bello.
On June 1, 2009, Sanusi was nominated as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua; his appointment was confirmed by the Senate on June 3, 2009.
Sanusi was selected to succeed his granduncle, Ado Bayero, as the Emir of Kano on June 8, 2014.
