FLASHBACK: ‘Jonathan’s Medicine’: How Ganduje Removed Emir Sanusi in 2020
Chaos and panic erupted in Kano State on March 9, 2020, when the Abdullahi Ganduje-led state government removed Muhammadu Sanusi as Emir of Kano.
It was the second time Sanusi would be removed from an exalted office.
President Goodluck Jonathan suspended Sanusi from his position as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2014. Although news reports suggested that the president had queried him on some alleged financial recklessness within the CBN, his suspension came some days after claims at the National Assembly that $20 billion was missing from crude oil proceeds.
On June 8, 2014, less than two months after exiting the apex bank, Sanusi’s next biggest offer came when then Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso enthroned him as Kano’s traditional ruler. At this time, Ganduje was the deputy governor, making him a significant stakeholder in the appointment of the former banker.
But Nigerians, particularly Kano State residents, were taken by surprise when Ganduje ordered the removal of Sanusi as emir. Added to this deposition was the banishing of Sanusi by the government from Kano State and an immediate division of Kano Emirate into five independent traditional institutions.
While the official justification for Sanusi’s dethronement at the time was simply “disrespect” to the governor, some Nigerians believed that Ganduje took that action as a punishment for Sanusi’s outspokenness against some state policies.
WHY SANUSI WAS DEPOSED
According to the government, Sanusi was dishonouring the governor and state agencies and was non-compliant with some state directives. He was also faulted for his absence from official meetings. With this act, said the government, he had violated Section 13 (a-e) of the Kano State Emirate Law 2019.
The government further pinned its action on the need to preserve the integrity and cultural values of the Kano Emirate, accusing Sanusi of drifting away from it. It was said that the former emir’s comment criticising the government for taking a foreign loan to build a railway upset Ganduje.
The Kano State Executive Council under the Chairmanship of His Excellency, the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje OFR has unanimously approved the immediate removal/dethronement of the Emir of Kano Emirate, Muhammad Sanusi II.
The Emir of Kano is in total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the State Governor and other lawful authorities, including his persistent refusal to attend official meetings and programmes organised by the Government without any lawful justification which amount to total insubordination.
It is on record and in so many instances Malam Muhammad Sanusi II has been found breaching part 3 section 13 (a-e) of the Kano State Emirate Law 2019 and which if left unchecked will 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.
This removal was reached in order to safeguard the sanctity, culture, tradition, religion and prestige of the Kano Emirate built over thousand years.
Away from the official press release, Ganduje’s comments in the months that followed showed a seemingly different reason. In December 2020, Ganduje claimed that Sanusi’s appointment was calculated to anger Jonathan.
“Jonathan took a bold step in sacking Sanusi as CBN Governor, which created bad blood in certain circles. When I became governor, I said ‘yes, the Jonathan medicine is an important medicine,’” said Ganduje.
“That medicine, even though I am not a medical doctor, but that medicine would serve the same purpose, for the same disease and for the same patient.
“So I took my Jonathan medicine and decided to save the system, to save the institution, and I applied it effectively. So Jonathan and I are on the same page. Actually, I have no regrets.”
The current government has now repealed a 2019 law that created multiple emirates after Emir Sanusi’s exit.
