Ganduje: Sanusi lost his throne because he refused to be part of reforms

Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano, says Muhammad Sanusi, former emir of Kano, lost his throne because he refused to be a part of the reforms of the state’s emirate system.

Sanusi was deposed in March by Ganduje after months of frosty relationship.

The governor had created four emirates in the bid to whittle down the power of the former emir. Though he said the action was for administrative convenience.

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission accused Sanusi of misappropriation of funds and launched a probe against him.

Sanusi ascended the throne on June 8, 2014, following the death of Ado Bayero, who reigned from 1963 until his death in 2014.

Speaking at a media parley to mark Democracy Day on Monday, Ganduje said the reforms he undertook “have come to stay”.

“The former emir of Kano, who refused to be part of the reforms, has to bow out so that the reforms can be completed and the new emirates have come to stay,” the governor said.

“Today, there is no legal issues before the court as regards the reforms of the traditional system.”

Ganduje said the decision of the former emir and some elders to challenge his “reforms” in court slowed down the process, and that the authorities in Kano would continue to probe him.