Emir Of Kano Dethronement: Time For Holistic Traditional, Political Reforms In Nigeria.
March 9, 2020 would forever be a historic date in the history of Kano emirate in particular and Nigeria in general as the erstwhile Emir of Kano; Muhammadu Sanusi II was dethroned by Kano State government via a release signed by the Secretary to Kano state government; Alhaji Usman Alhaji conveying to the public the Kano State executive council decision as approved by the Kano State governor; Dr Abdullah Umar Ganduje on the Kano royal stool. Few hours after the release, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; former Emir of Bichi was announced as the new Emir of Kano.
The Rights and Freedom Advocates (RIFA) received the shocking news of Mallam Sanusi Muhammad dethronement like other Nigerians. RIFA lauded Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi for his vociferous defense of the masses even though he could not be exonerated from some uncouth statements unexpected of a royal father. However, no one is infallible not even the Governor that demonstrated his highest level of immaturity and obsessive power.
Legally, the State governments across the federation are saddled with the authority of approving enthronement and dethronement of any traditional institution or ruler. This practice has made most traditional leaders puppets of those in government especially at the state level.
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In the Kano government release dethroning Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Kano Emir, the state government made a nauseating excuse that the erstwhile Emir was dethroned for not attending state government functions, being disrespectful to lawful instructions of the governor and other agencies of government.
When has Kano Emir become a governor messenger? Ideally, Kano Emir is not a political position but a traditional stool meant to defend the traditional and cultural values of the Emirate. As a result, the Emir has his loyalty to the entire people of Kano State and not to be the stooge of the governor.
The decision of the Kano state government dethroning Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi did not protect sanctity, culture, tradition, religion and prestige of the Kano emirate as proclaimed by the government release but desecrated the traditional institution in the State to be hoodwinked to the whims and caprices of the state government.
However, RIFA remind governor Ganduje that he would have become a former governor had electorates have similar power to dethrone him over the $5million allegation against him for extorting contractors which he hurriedly went to court to stop investigation on same. Could governor with such blemished record accuse others of same offence?
On the other hand, Mallam Sanusi has broken the record of being unceremoniously removed from two key posts in Nigeria; first as Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor and secondly as the Emir of Kano. Two different institutions were involved in the two cases. Could it be that Mallam Sanusi did not diplomatically and maturely handled official matters well or that he failed to distinguish public matters from private affairs?
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The deposed Emir was very outspoken on public issues but he was not the first King to be vociferous. There are many Kings in Nigeria that are very blunt in expressing their views on national matters but the moment the deposed Emir approached court to stall investigation of alleged N3.4billion scam leveled against him raised doubt on his sincerity on offering solutions to our societal challenges.
Regardless of the offences of the deposed Emir of Kano, the traditional institutions deserve a respite from executive rascality and power recklessness of the governors. The laws of the land have vested too more powers on the state governors making them autocratic and resistance to any opposing views in most cases except where the governor is matured and altruistic.
However, since the laws have given too much power they continually misuse such powers to silent opponents. Even though every position is transient and Governor Ganduje selfishness has overridden public interest he swore to protect, RIFA remind him and colleagues allergic to divergent views to note that one day that seat they occupy today would be occupied by other persons and their decisions might then be reversed.
By then, the governor would have be blaming himself for allowing the honour to pass him the same way a Yoruba former President that failed to honour MKO Abiola was disgraced alive with multiple honours on the late business mogul and philanthropist of note showered on him including a national stadium at the heart of the Nation capital named after MKO Abiola.
If electorates who elected most governors are left for houses of assembly to impeach a governor, then it is morally wrong for a governor that ratifies appointment of kings to be the authority that can dethrone any King.
Therefore, RIFA opine that the various houses of assembly should amend their state traditional institution’s laws to empower only a court or legislative house or the traditional council that nominated a king to be the only authority that can dethrone or recommend the dethronement of a traditional ruler.
In as much as governors continue to be the only authority that can dethrone a traditional ruler, then our traditional institution will be mockery of itself.
Luqman Soliu
President,
Rights and Freedom Advocates (RIFA)
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