Sanusi’s Coronation: Protesters Occupy Emir’s Palace

Newly crowned Emir of Kano, northwest Nigeria, Sarki Lamido Sanusi Lamido is operating from a temporary office in Government House, 24 hours after he was turbaned and issued certificate of appointment by Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso as protesters occupy the Emir’s palace.

From all indications and owing to security situation presently, Sarki Lamido may not be in a haste to relocate to the Emir’s palace even as security has been beefed up there.

Families and servants of the late Emir Ado Abdullahi Bayero are still occupying the palace, even though Governor Kwankwaso on Monday announced donation of houses to them.

This morning, our Correspondents sighted a number of protesters hanging around the Emir’s Palace.

They said they will not give up until the decision to crown Sarki Sanusi Lamido Emir by Governor Kwankwaso is reversed.

One of them who identified himself as Malam Yusuf said they were determined to sacrifice anything, “for the sake of justice.”

According to him, “Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is not the people’s choice. They have played politics with the throne. It is gross injustice to sack the family of an Emir that served the state humbly and diligently for over 50 years just like that. We want justice, they should do what is right.”

P.M.NEWS reports that the situation at the Emir’s palace this morning was calm, though a number of protesters were still there.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adenrele Shinaba in a telephone chat withP.M.NEWS Correspondent this morning, denied newspaper reports about deaths in the wake of the riots.

“As far as we (the police) are concerned, there has not been any record of death, at least, not to our knowledge,” Shinaba said.

“I must tell you that as at this morning, there is calm within the Emir’s Palace. Our men and other sister security agencies have been stationed there all this while; and our mission is to prevent the protesters from causing harm to lives and destroying properties. Ours is to maintain law and order and we are doing our best.”

Yesterday, Sarki Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, assumed duties with an appeal to Kano residents to embrace peace, harmony and unity.

Members of the Kano Emirate Council and District Heads came in to pay their homage to him at Government House.

Sarki Sanusi Lamido who is the 14th Fulani Emir of Kano kingdom urged those who contested the seat with him to accept the outcome and join him in carrying Kano Emirate to greater heights.

The new Emir said his desire was to build on the legacies of his predecessor, adding that without peace and unity, the Emirate may not be able to carry out its responsibilities to the Kano people.

Sarki Sanusi Lamido told journalists shortly before receiving his appointment letter from Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso that he was determined to carry everybody along as long as he reigns as the Emir of Kano.

 “I urge Kano people to always have the fear of God in all their undertakings so that peace and harmony will continue to reign in the state.”

His Highness also advocated for unity amongst the Emirate Council, noting that, “I have no grudges or acrimony against anyone. Let me tell you that I am married to the first daughter of the late Emir who is my first wife at home and more so, the Turaki Kano,  Nasiru Ado Bayero is my bosom brother.

We slept together in one room for about 10 years and at this time, why should we go against one another? We are the same family.’’

 He also promised to be fair and just in carrying out his responsibilities as the father of all.

“In every contest, there is a winner and loser, so the loser should take the outcome of the result in good faith because power is given by God.’’

Sanusi also condoled with the family of the late Emir of Kano with the promise to continue with the good work of the late Emir.

Governor Kwankwaso who presented appointment letter and staff of office to the new Emir, thanked the people of Kano State for their understanding and cooperation during the selection process and called for calm.

 According to the Governor, “whatever that must have happened during the emergence of the new Emir, the people of Kano should take it as an act of God because there were speculations that the whole process was politicised.

“I stand to say that such notions are wrong in the sense that three names were presented to  me by the four king makers; but some people said the new Emir’s name was not included—that is not true. Let me be categorical, he (Sanusi ) was top on the list and as such, I can call the king makers as my witness.”

 Governor Kwankwaso also offered houses to the family of the late Emir Ado Bayero and promised that the state Government will continue to give them adequate attention in terms of support and welfare.

 The keys to the houses were handed over to the Wali Kano, Alhaji Mahe Bashir Wali so that he can distribute them to the children of the late Emir.

Speaking on behalf of the Emirate Council, the Wambai Kano who is the Senior Councilor of the Kano Emirate, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, expressed happiness over the appointment of Sarki Sanusi Lamido Ssanusi and pledged to give him all the necessary support.

There were indications that Sarki Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is set to engage the family of the late Emir Ado Bayero in full-scale reconciliation.

Sarki Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was born in Kano on 31 July, 1961. He obtained degrees in Economics and Islamic Law from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the International University of Africa, Khartoum.

After teaching Economics for two years at the Ahmadu Bello University, he started a banking career in 1985 with Icon Limited (Merchant Bankers) and later worked with the United Bank for Africa Plc and First Bank of Nigeria Plc. His banking career spanned various fields including Issuing House Activity, Financial Advisory Services and Credit Marketing.

 However, it was in the field of Risk Management that he earned his professional reputation, having distinguished himself as the Chief Risk Officer in the two largest banks in the Country, UBA Plc and FBN Plc.

He rose to the position of Group Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of First Bank Plc, the largest bank in the country in January, 2009 and was appointed the 10th Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in June, 2009, a position he held until his suspension by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in February, 2014. He was appointed the Emir of Kano on 8 June 2014.