Sanusi finally takes over the palace

The long wait is over. The emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has finally moved to the palace to commence his reign as the 14th Fulani ruler of the emirate.

After leading Jumaat prayers ─ his first ─ at the Kano state government house mosque on Friday, Sanusi rode to the palace in a convoy of cars at some minutes past 4pm.

He was welcomed to the palace by the guards, who gave him the traditional gun salute after the customary new gate was erected for him.

This effectively ends days of tension, uncertainty and conflicting reports over his absence from the palace since he was appointed on Sunday.

Despite receiving his letter of appointment and the paraphernalia of office, including the sword of his predecessor, Alhaji Ado Bayero, Sanusi continued to operate from Naseer House on the premises of the Kano State government house.

Some youths had taken to the streets protesting his appointment, proclaiming their preference for Alhaji Lamido Sanusi Ado Bayero, the first son of the late emir.

Heavy security was then deployed in the palace which was put under “lock and key”, leading to various reports on the motive.

While the official position was that the palace needed to be protected to avoid vandalism by the protesters, Sanusi’s supporters were of the opinion that it was intended to intimidate Sanusi, who was suspended as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in February by President Goodluck Jonathan.

There were even rumours that he was to be arrested.

The policemen left the palace on Thursday night, and although there were more rumours that there was going to be an outbreak of violence on Friday, calm has returned to city.

In his sermon at the Jummat service, Sanusi called on all Muslims to have the fear of God in all their dealings.

He said he would exhibit transparency, fairness and equity during his time as emir.

“God gives power to whom he wants,” he said.

He urged Muslims to always return to God in time of difficulty “for divine resolution”.

“I enjoin Muslims to draw my attention to whatever wrong I have committed. To err is human and to forgive is divine,” he said.

The emir also conducted Asr prayer, the third Muslim prayer of the day, inside the palace mosque.