Just over two weeks ago, governor Rabi`u` Musa Kwankwaso of Kano state approved the appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as the 14th Fulani ruler of the ancient city of Kano. Adeola Ajakaiye, in this piece, examines the crisis, which erupted as a result of the appointment, and the implications of the appointment on the socio-economic fortune of the state.
Judging from its over 1000 years of existence, the city of Kano, is one of the most historic sub-national entities in the Nigerian nation, as well as one of the most complex in term of its composition.
The complexity of the city which has grown to become a one city-state, housing the highest population of Nigerians, is strengthened by the strong human characters that populated it, and its ancient role as a centre of learning, and business.
However, prevailing reality in the city is indicative that the city has since been on a steady decline from its height of being a centre of massive business enterprise, to a mere trading outpost.
The city of Kano is predominantly a patrimony of the Hausa-Fulani sub-nationality ethnic group, commonly found in the core- northern states of the Nigerian federation.
It is evident that the city, which since pre-colonial days has being playing vital role as a successful business centre, due essentially to the ingenuity, and entrepreneurship spirit of its people, has been a centre of media focus following the demise of the traditional monarch of the city.
The drama that characterized the death of Emir Ado Abdullahi Bayero, the 13th Fulani ruler of the city, who reigned for 51 years as well as the passion associated with the selection of his successor, has also greatly generated a lot of media attentions within and outside the country.
Although the Kano State Government, in conjunction with King Makers of the Kano Emirate Council, has announced the appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new emir of the city, the dust raise by the way and manner he emerged is yet to settle in the city.
Sanusi is the grandson of the 10th Emir of Kano that was deposed in a controversial circumstance by the administration of then Primer of Northern region, Sir Ahmadu Bello in 1963.
The tension, as well as the open violence which broke out following his appointment has also resulted in another wave of special media attention that the city is currently getting.
A violent ascending and its causes:
The tension and the subsequent violence which the appointment of the new emir is generating is a fall out of the opposition expressed by a section of Kano community to the appointment.
Shortly after the announcement of the appointment by the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Rabi`u Suleiman Bichi, a large number of people, mostly Youths, trooped out from Kofar Nassarawa area of the city, declaring their opposition to the appointment.
They were joined by others from other parts of the city, and later marched to Government House, before they were confronted by security operatives attached to the House.
As the protest was becoming agitated, the Security operatives quickly stepped in by closing down all the entrance and exit gates of the House.
Passersby, and motorists, who were unlucky to be around the areas where the protest was taking place were forced by the protesters who showed solidarity by hanging green leaves on their vehicles.
Observers of events in the state attributed the cause of the crisis which characterized the appointment of the new emir to the politicization of the process of the selection.
Agenda for the new emir:
However, as the emergency of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as the new emir of Kano, is gradually becoming a reality, many development experts in the states wants him ensure that he uses his reign to promote the wellbeing of the state, which has been on the decline in all fronts in the recent times.
The experts, want the emir to understand that ascending royal throne, is different from holding office in secular environment, they are of the view that the new responsibility office required a lot of patience, and less activitism.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
