Congatulations, rioting, as Sanusi is made new Kano emir

Congratutions and rioting greeted the announcement on Sunday, of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, as Emir of Kano.

Congratulations poured in for Sanusi soon after the announcement. Among those who sent congratulatory messages were Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola and his Ogun State counterpart Ibikunle Amosun.

Fashola wished the former CBN governor a long and fruitful reign as Emir, and hoped that his emergence would further cement the long standing bond between the people of Kano and their brothers and sisters in Lagos and across the country, with whom, he said they have been living in peace and harmony.

Amosun for his part, hailed the choice Sanusi as emir and said the former CBN governor would bring his wealth of experience to bear in the appointment. He added, “As an accomplished technocrat, I believe the new Emir will use his influence to foster peace and attract more development to the emirate and indeed the State.”

The rioting started at the Kofar Kudu area of Kano, near the Emir’s palace, shortly after the Kano State Government announced Sanusi as the successor to late Emir, Ado Bayero, who passed on last Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who witnessed the rioting reports that soon after the announcement of Sanusi, residents of the neighbouring streets trooped out to the palace area, in opposition to the choice.

The angry mob set tyres on fire and mounted road blocks as they shouted, “Ba muso, ba muso’’, meaning, “we don’t want, we don’t want’’ in apparent reference to the choice of Sanusi by the state government.

The mob threw stones at passing vehicles, a situation which was brought under control by the quick intervention of a detachment of policemen, civil defence personnel and the state Hisbah.

The group is believed to be angered by the choice of Sanusi, as they would prefer to have an immediate family member of the late emir Ado Bayero to succeeded him, sources said.

Tension brewed shortly after the announcement was made by Rabi`u Suleiman Bichi, the Secretary to the Kano State Government, as a large number of individuals were seen approaching the Government House on State Road in the metropolis, expressing their opposition to the selection.

This forced security operatives attached to the Kano state Government House to quickly close all the entrance and exit gates of the place.
Motorists were also forced to hang green leaves on their vehicles as a mark of support for the demonstrators.

Sanusi, who was recently removed as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, by President Goodluck Jonathan, emerged as the new Emir of Kano after the throne became vacant on Friday, following the demise of Emir Ado Bayero.