Tension has continued to mount within the Kano Emirate following the sealing off of the official residence of the Galadiman Kano in Galadanci of Gwale Local Government Area by heavily armed security operatives, mostly police officers.
The development, which began Thursday night, has further deepened the emirship crisis that has gripped the ancient city. The latest development followed the turbaning of two different individuals as Galadima Kano by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
The residence historically reserved for the titleholder of Galadima – the highest-ranking prince in the Kano Emirate – was surrounded by security personnel who stationed patrol vehicles at all entry points.
This security operation comes on the heels of the turbaning of Alhaji Munir Sanusi Bayero as Galadiman Kano by the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who presided over the traditional ceremony at the main palace, Gidan Rumfa.
The turbaning formed part of a broader round of title conferment by Emir Sanusi, including the appointments of Alhaji Kabir Tijjani Hashim as Wamban Kano, Alhaji Mahmud Ado Bayero as Turakin Kano, Adam Lamido Sanusi as Tafidan Kano, and Alhaji Ahmad Abbas Sanusi as Yariman Kano.
Speaking at the event, which drew top dignitaries, including the Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf and members of the state Executive Council, Emir Sanusi, charged the new titleholders to uphold the values of humility, leadership and public service.
“You have been chosen based on your track records and those of your families. Many of you have long demonstrated loyalty to the emirate, and your contributions to the less privileged and the society at large are well known. I urge you to emulate your forefathers and serve with dignity,” the emir said.
But hours later, the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, held his own turbaning ceremony at the Nasarawa Palace, where he addressed his elder brother, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero as the Galadima Kano
The security presence around the Galadima’s residence has left members of the Galadanci community bewildered, especially within the royal family, which now finds itself split between two Galadimas; both of whom are blood relatives.
“This is all politics; and we are deeply unhappy about what is going on. Both Galadimas are our sons. The one appointed by Sanusi II grew up in this house and holds a respected place within our family. If not for the police presence, we would have welcomed him back with open arms,” said a senior male family member.
A female member of the family who requested anonymity voiced frustration at the emirship crisis, which she said had taken a toll on the family.
“Honestly, we are not taking sides. We are saddened that the family is being torn apart by something beyond our control. Even the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is from this family, and he is not happy about this rift either,” she said.
Weekend Trust gathered that earlier in the week, Emir Sanusi II had directed renovations of the residence in preparation for Munir Sanusi’s move into the home. The house, by a long-standing tradition, belongs to the sitting Galadiman Kano.
The sealing of the residence has been interpreted by those in the camp of Sanusi as an interference in the emirate’s internal affairs, an action perceived by them as driven by politics rather than security concerns.
The roots of this standoff can be traced back to the death of the former Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi earlier this year. Shortly after his passing, Emir Sanusi II appointed Munir Sanusi – his uncle and former Wamban Kano – to the exalted title. Less than two weeks later, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero responded by naming his elder brother, Sanusi Ado Bayero to the same position.
This marked a significant escalation in the longstanding emirship dispute that began nearly a year ago following the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th emir by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Sanusi II had been deposed in 2020 under the administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, then governor of Kano State and now the national chairman of the APC.
The dethronement followed the enactment of the 2019 Kano State Emirates Council law, which fragmented the emirate into five separate emirates, diluting the influence of the Kano throne.
Upon assuming office in 2023, Governor Yusuf repealed the law and restored the Kano Emirate to its original configuration, reinstating Sanusi II as the sole emir. Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, who had been appointed under Ganduje’s law, was subsequently deposed.
However, Bayero returned to Kano and took up residence at the Nasarawa mini-palace, a short distance from the Government House. He has since continued to act as emir, holding court, attending public functions and receiving visitors despite lacking recognition from the state government.
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