Violence erupts in Kano as former CBN governor Sanusi Lamido is named new emir

TROUBLE has erupted in Kano over the appointment of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new emir yesterday with irate youths starting bonfires across the city protesting the choice.

 

Yesterday afternoon, the Mallam Sanusi, who was suspended as CBN governor earlier this year, was announced  as the 14th emir of Kano. Alhaji Rabiu Zakariya, the secretary to the Kano State government, flanked by the four Kano kingmakers that included the Sarkin Bai, Sarki Dawaki Mai’Tuta, the Madakin Kano and Makaman Kano, made the announcement, saying that Mallam Sanusi will take over from the late Alhaji Bayero who died last week.

 

Alhaji Zakariya said: “I have the honour to announce that after a careful study of the kingmakers’ selection and advice, we have chosen the former CBN governor, and the Dan’Majen Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new Emir of Kano.”

 

In what was a keenly fought contest, the new emir, defeated the trio of his uncle and senior counsellor of the Kano Emirate Council, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi; the late emir’s eldest son and Chiroma Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero, and Alhaji Tijjani Hashim. However, as soon as the announcement was made, violence erupted, with hundreds of irate youths, taking over major streets in the ancient city protesting Mallam Sanusi’s choice.

 

Carrying tree branches, sticks and dangerous weapons, the youths chanted war songs demanding a reversal of the choice. They shouted "Bamaso, Bamaso" meaning “We don’t want” around the emir’s palace and its immediate environs.

 

It is believed that the protesters were sympathetic to Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero, the late emir's son, who had widely been expected to be appointed. They made a bonfire along major highways and on major streets and their protests later spread to the Fagge area of the metropolis as well as quarters like Kuramawa, Soron Dinki, Kofar Nassarawa, Gwale and Chrianchi.

 

A combined team of soldiers and policemen later dispersed them and a team of security men was posted around Mallam Sanusi's residence. Government building in the city were also heavily guarded by troops who had been deployed around them.

 

Already, congratulatory messages have begun pouring in for the new emir from across the country with several governors sending him good wishes. It is not yet clear if Emir Sanusi will now withdraw his pending court case against the government challenging his suspension from office as CBN governor following his appointment

 

Courtesy Nigeria News Watch....