Monday of surprises: Sanusi dethroned, Bayero takes over as Oshiomhole secures vote of confidence

It was indeed a long night. A night of long knives. The northern establishment had congregated the previous night in Kano, perfecting plans on what was going to be unleashed on the people the next day with clinical execution and tacit approval of the presidency.

On Monday, March 9, which eventually turned out a Monday of many colours, the cerebra people of Kano woke with their deposed Emir, Muhammad Sanusi 11, only to end the day with Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as the new Emir, the son of late Emir Ado Bayero.

The Kano State Government led by Abdullahi Ganduje  announced the sacking of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II.

The Director-General, Media and Communications, Kano State Government, Salihu Yakasai, said this on his official Twitter handle, @Dawisu,

“The Kano State Executive Council has unanimously approved the dethronement of the Emir of Kamo Mallam Muhammad Sanusi II at a special sitting held today by the council,” he tweeted.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, simultaneously, in a statement  added, “This removal is made after due consultation with the relevant stakeholders and in compliance with Part 3 section 13 of the Kano State Emirate law 2019 and other reasons stated above.

“The removal was reached to safeguard the sanctity, culture, tradition, religion and prestige of the Kano Emirate built over a thousand years.”

Sanusi ascended the throne in 2014, following the death of his granduncle Ado Bayero. His grandfather Muhammadu Sanusi I reigned from 1953 to 1963, when he was deposed by Premier Ahmadu Bello. His father Aminu Sanusi was Ciroma of Kano.

Prior to his ascension, Sanusi was an economist and banker. He served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014, when he was suspended by President Goodluck Jonathan after raising the alarm on the $20bn alleged to be missing. The Emir has been engaged in a battle with the governor since last year amid allegations that he supported the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abba Kabir-Yusuf.

The monarch had since been under investigation for alleged corruption while his emirate was split  into five to whittle down his influence. He has been banished to Nasarawa.

Until his appointment as Emir of Kano, Bayero was the emir of Bichi, one of the four newly created emirates.

Bayero is a graduate of Mass Communication from Bayero University Kano. He was also a former Danmajen Kano, Dan Buran, Sarkin Dawakin Tsakar Gida and Wamban Kano.

He was later appointed emir of Bichi after the creation of Karaye, Gaya, Rano and Bichi Emirates by Governor Ganduje’s administration.

Elsewhere in Abuja, the aging animosity in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, took a fresh dimension as the party Forum of State Chairmen on Monday threw their weight behind Comrade Adams Oshiomole,  the National Chairman of the ruling party and unanimously passed vote of confidence on his leadership.

The executive committee of the forum in a statement signed by its Chairman, Hon. Ali Bukar Dolari, Borno State APC Chairman and the Secretary, Dr Ben Nwoye, Chairman APC Enugu State in Abuja on Monday endorsed the leadership of Oshiomhole and called all detractors to order not to over heat the polity.

The statement tagged, “Vote of Confidence on His Excellency, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, National Chairman, All Progressives Congress”, the forum said their decision was to defend the sanctity of the constitution of the party and uphold its supremacy.

The statement reads, “We the Executive Members of the Forum of State Chairmen of All Progressives Congress, APC met on 9th March 2020 in Abuja and resolved that the Forum will stand firmly behind the National Chairman of our great party, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, and to defend the sanctity of the constitution of our great party with regards to upholding its supremacy”.

Justifying their endorsement, the forum noted that , “Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole has positioned and fortified the party to the admiration of all to stand for and win elections in majority of the States in Nigeria as witnessed in the 2019 elections.

“It is on record that the party under the leadership of Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole won more elections in the country as exemplified in the 2019 general elections.

“Comrade Adams Aliu  Oshiomhole has endeared majority and well meaning Nigerians to the All Progressives Congress, APC in all parts of the country because of his leadership prowess.

“In the 2019 elections unlike 2015 elections, President Muhammadu Buhari had 25 percent in the majority of States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory.

“We therefore pass a vote of confidence on the National leadership of the party under Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole for his quality, purposeful and directional leadership.

“We vow to stand with our National Chairman, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole and to defend the constitution of our great party at all times and in all places”.

The forum observed that the litigations before the two Federal High Courts are political and advised all concerned to seek political solutions. They also urged all parties to leverage on Chief Bisi Akande National Reconciliation Committee to resolve their differences.

The State Chairmen maintained that being members of NEC and critical stakeholders of the party, “we dissociate ourselves from the ongoing brigandage intended to disorganize the peace we have been enjoying in the party. These acts if successful would only weaken the political strength of our great party”.

If morning tells the day, the shape of things to come in the days ahead  of the 10th week in the new decade, will be quite interesting.