31st July, 2023
By Aminu Garko
A portrait trending on social media showing the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II hanging on the coronation hall wall of Kano State’s Government House has stirred up tension in the ancient city of Kano.
The tension could not be unconnected to earlier speculations about plans by the new government to sack the Emirs installed by the immediate past Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and return the dethroned Emir, Sanusi II as the sole Emir of Kano.
The State House of Assembly had recently denied its link to reports about plans to abolish the newly created emirates.
However, residents on Monday morning woke up to the picture fast exchanging hands on social media, thereby causing palpable fears.
Meanwhile, the state government through the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa said placing the portrait of the dethroned Emir in the coronation hall was part of its ongoing facelift on the hall and that the portrait of the 14th Emir was returned because the hall is synonymous to him.
Dawakin-Tofa in a statement, said, “The history of the coronation hall is synonymous to the 14th emir of Kano Malam Muhammadu Sanusi because it was built for his presentation of staff of office after he was crowned as the emir, succeeding late Alhaji Ado Bayero in 2014 during the administration of Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
“So traditionally, his picture shall remain there forever. Bringing back the picture of the 14th emir is part of the ongoing rehabilitation to give the Coronation hall a face lift,” Dawakin-Tofa said.