L-R: Bayero and Sanusi

By Murtala Adewale, Kano

After a prolonged emirate tussle, the immediate family of National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has finally recognized Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano.

Besides, the ex-Governor Ganduje endorsed the nomination of his first nephew, Alhaji Jamilu Sani Umar, before Emir Sanusi to be turbaned as Village Head of Ganduje, Dawakin-Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State.

At a well-attended ceremony at Kofar Kudu Palace, Emir Sanusi turbaned Ganduje’s nephew, Alhaji Umar, as the new Village Head amid an overwhelming crowd from Ganduje who renewed unfiltered loyalty to Khalifa Sanusi.

Again, the unfolding development, which redefined the political allegiance of Ganduje and his immediate family, has finally disregarded the seeming support of the APC bigwig for dethroned Aminu Ado Bayero.

It would be recalled that the same Ganduje’s kinsmen once stood firm in support of the cruel dethronement of Emir Sanusi in 2020 when their son (Abdullahi Umar Ganduje) was the Governor.

Incidentally, the former Village Head of Ganduje, Alhaji Sani Ganduje, who was also forcefully removed by the previous administration, had openly challenged the Kano Emirate over the legitimacy of his removal, deepening the rift between the Gandujes and Sanusi’s loyalists.

However, it was gathered that Emir Sanusi had chosen to jettison any bad blood against Ganduje’s family as he considered Alhaji Jamilu Sani Ganduje as the new Village Head.

Although the National Chairman of APC was apparently absent at the turbaning ceremony at the palace, it was reliably gathered that former Governor Ganduje facilitated the presence of the delegation from Ganduje to physically witness the turbaning and allegiance to Sanusi’s throne.

Reacting to the development, a public affairs analyst, Alh. Bashir Gentle, described Emir Sanusi’s acceptance of Ganduje’s nephew as the new Village Head as a clear show of statesmanship.

Gentle equally believed Ganduje has finally bowed to pressure and was forced to accept Khalifa Sanusi as the only Emir of Kano, and tactfully ignored the dethroned Aminu Bayero who had continued to reign at the Nassarawa mini palace.

“Emir Sanusi has demonstrated wisdom and knowledge. He has proved he is worthy of character who does not pay back with evil. Emir Sanusi has reflected the true spirit of forgiveness and accepted destiny as it unfolds.

“Khalifa could have rejected the nomination of Ganduje’s nephew to pay back with evil. But he has chosen to surrender to the will of God and accepted the nomination of Ganduje himself.

“The question many would now ask Ganduje is, why has he decided to send the nominee to Emir Sanusi for endorsement, if he does not accept him as Emir of Kano? Why would he (Ganduje) choose to ignore the person they have been supporting—Aminu Ado Bayero—this time?” Gentle noted.