London, May 14, 2019 (AltAfrica)-It is no more news that the Kano State government under Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje plans to do everything possible to forcefully depose Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II.

As they say, “no king will sit around, and watch whilst his hometown is destroyed.” Governor Ganduje’s action by appointing four first class Emirs and creating additional four emirate councils in Kano State, must be seen as a divide-and-conquer means used by the colonial masters.

When the colonial masters arrived in Africa, they met well established traditional institutions. But they quickly deployed this divide-and-conquer strategy by breaking African kingdoms into small pieces, knowing fully well that they won’t be as strong if they were together.

Kano emirate is stronger in Northern Nigeria because the people are united and are working together for a purpose.

His Royal Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, Emir of Kano State, Nigeria

Ironically, many Nigerian elites had expected Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II to keep mute, while the ‘Haves’ continue to enrich themselves and poor innocent citizens continue to be poorer.

People are so quick to personalize issues without critically looking at the antecedents. Governor Ganduje will never agree with an Emir who sees leadership position a call to serve people and not self.

Meanwhile, many allegations on corrupt practices have been raised against Governor Ganduje. On October 15, 2018, a video of Governor Ganduje receiving a bribe surfaced. Yet, Governor Ganduje claims to be innocent, and his re-election was reported as being blighted by electoral violence.

On many occasions, the Emir of Kano has expressed his dissatisfaction on the level of poverty in Kano State, which Governor Ganduje sees as a direct attack on him and his administration.

May I remind Governor Ganduje of the beauty of paying good back to someone who has done wrong to one, as enshrined by Prophet Mohammed (SAW).

That being said, let us note that history must never repeat itself in this matter between Sanusi and Gundaje.

Let us consider this history lesson from some decades ago in the same region of Northern Nigeria:

Emir Muhammadu Sanusi I was the Emir of Kano from 1954 – 1963. He was the eldest son of Emir Abdullahi Bayero. He hosted the Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Kano, Nigeria in 1956. Also, hosted revered Sheikh ul-Islam Ibrahim Niyass of Senegal, and many notable world leaders in his palace in Kano. Historically, the power grapple between Muhammadu Sanusi I and his distant cousin Sir Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto is believed to have led to Muhammadu Sanusi I dethronement and confinement in Azare.

Interestingly, also in Oyo State, the outgoing Governor Abiola Ajimobi appointed a number of kings in Ibadan in opposition to the office of the Olubadan who historically has been seen as the supreme traditional ruler of Ibadan. Needless to say, that this action cost Ajimobi his Senatorial bid and ultimately, the ruling party lost the state to PDP. Can we say Ganduje’s misstep towards Sanusi could eventually cost APC some electoral positions in Kano, nay Northern Nigeria given the prominence of the present Emir?,,,To be continued

AbdulRasheed Abubakar AbdulRasheed Abubakar is the American Bureau Chief of Center African Broadcasting Network, CABN and Publisher The Diaspora Today Magazine