Kano calm after protest over choice of Lamido Sanusi as new Emir

Kano metropolis is now calm after initial protest by supporters of Sanusi Ado Bayero who failed to get the nod of the city’s kingmakers and the state government to emerge as new emir.

The supporters of Mr. Bayero had set off bonfires in various locations after the Secretary to state government, Rabiu Bichi, announced that the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Sanusi, had been selected.

A resident of Tarauni, not far from the Government House, Modibbo Mohammed, told PREMIUM TIMES over the telephone that everywhere was now calm.

“As we speak, I am sitting right in front of my house and everything is normal, it wasn’t like this earlier in the evening,” he said.

Also, the spokesperson of the Nigerian Police in Kano, Magaji Majiya, said the force dispatched officers to scenes of the protests and that they had since restored order.

“At about 4 p.m. shortly after the announcement of the new emir, we received news of protests in some areas in Kano metropolis,” Mr. Majiya said.

“Our men were dispatched to the areas and they have restored  peace. We urge all citizens to be law abiding and maintain the peace.”

Read our initial report of the protest below.

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The supporters of Sanusi Ado Bayero, the son of the late Emir of Kano, who was defeated by Lamido Sanusi to emerge the emir of the ancient city, have taken to the streets to protest the rejection of their preferred candidate.

A resident of the town, Ibrahim Hamisu, told PREMIUM TIMES that the protesters set up bonfires using tyres around the Emirs’ palace.

He also said another group of protesters, who were marching to the Government House, were stopped by armed soldiers and policemen who formed a barricade to stop them from getting near the seat of government.

Protesters take over kano streets to protest appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new Emir of Kano

Another resident, Bala Usman, said the protesters were also destroying all government properties in sight.

The Secretary to the Government of Kano state, Rabi’u Bichi, had earlier announced the selection of Mr. Sanusi as the new emir of Kano following his recommendation by the kingmakers and approval by Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Mr. Bichi made the brief announcement at Government House, Kano, on Sunday. He disclosed that the government chose Mr. Sanusi’s out of three candidates forwarded to him by Kano Kingmakers.

“Under state customary law, the kingmakers comprising the Madaki, Sarkin Bai, Makaman and Sarkin Dawaki Maituta had sat down and forwarded three names to the government to choose the one that will succeed the Late Emir Ado Abdullahi Bayero.

“Out of these three names the government has approved Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Dan Majen Kano, and former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as the new emir of Kano,” the SSG said.

Secretary to the Kano state Government , Alhaji Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi, (3rdfrom left) announcing the appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new emir of Kano. From left are the kingmakers the Sarkin Dawaki Maituta, Alh. Bello Abubakar, the Sakin Bai, Alh. Mukhtar I Adnan, the Makama, Alh. Sarki Obrahim and the Madaki, Alh. Yusuf Nabahani Ibrahim, while on the right are the commissioners of Information and State Affairs, Dr. Abubakar Nuhu Danburam and Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam respectively. Photo: Govt. House, Kano. 8/6/2014

The SSG was accompanied to the briefing by the kingmakers which include the Sarkin Dawaki Maituta, Bello Abubakar; the Sarkin Bai, Mukhtar Adnan; the Makama, Sarki Ibrahim and the Madaki, Yusuf Nabahani Ibrahim.

The state commissioners of information and state affairs, Abubakar Danburam and Aminu Abdulsalam were also in attendance.

Reasons for protests

A source at the Emirate council said the supporters of Mr. Bayero were protesting because they felt shortchanged.

“Earlier in the day, message came to the Prince while he was at the palace receiving condolences that he needed to go and get set for turbanning in case he was the one selected, so, many of his supporters followed him to his private residence and most of them assumed that he must have been selected since he was getting set for turbanning,” our source said.

“Unknown to many, both nominees were required to be ready whether they will eventually be selected or not, but many misconstrued the order and were shocked when Sanusi Lamido was eventually announced and they are the ones protesting now.”