Three feared dead as Sanusi receives staff of office

Three people   were feared dead and scores of others injured in Kano when supporters of the first son of the late Emir of Kano and those of the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Lamido Sanusi clashed in the city on Monday.

The clashes   which were later brought under control by security operatives took place shortly before   Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso   presented Sanusi   with   a letter of appointment and staff of office as the   Emir of Kano.

Areas where the pro and anti-Sanusi protesters had a face-off at about 10.30am were the Emir Palace Road and Kofar Nassarawa. The youth made bornfires on the roads in Kofar Nassarawa and on both sides of the   Emir Palace Road before heavily armed policemen arrived and dispersed them. Some minutes after, they regrouped and attacked one another. Police however reinforced and cordoned off the roads. 

The Public Relations Officer of the Police State Command, Magaji Musa-Majia, who said normalcy had been restored   to the troubled areas,  advised members of the public to go about their business without fear of molestation . “We have some security challenges at hand but we have deployed counter measures to address the problem,” he said. Some aggrieved youths had on Sunday staged a protest march from Kofar Nassarawa to the Government House but were halted mid-way by law enforcement agents.

However, the presentation of the appointment letter and staff of office to Sanusi took place amidst tight security at the African House located within the Kano State Government House. In his address,   Kwankwaso explained that the choice of the new emir was purely on merit and devoid of political considerations. He explained that Sanusi’s wealth of experience and his deep rooted connection with the ruling House, gave him an edge over and above other contenders.

“The new emir was appointed on merit. I must clarify that the six contenders to the throne are good friends and it remains a statement of fact (that) only one would emerge ,” the governor added.

Kwankwaso urged the new Emir to provide an all inclusive cabinet just as he announced that his administration had provided an estate for the family of the late Ado Bayero at Sharada area of the  city.  The governor also announced plans   to rehabilitate the century old Kano Emir’s palace to make it comfortable for the new occupant.

In his acceptance speech, Sanusi expressed gratitude to Allah for making him the 57th Emir of Kano and the 14th Fulani emir of Kano Emirate. He said he enjoyed the best support of members of the ruling House, stressing that there was no animosity between him and other princes and princesses.

The ex-CBN governor said, “I was closer to the late Emir than I was to my late father. My first wife of 20 years is Bayero’s daughter. I grew up under his care and shared bed with Turakin Kano, Nasiru Ado Bayero, for 10 years.” He appealed to his subjects   not to allow external forces destroy the harmony they had built over the years.

All the four kingmakers and traditional title holders present during the ceremony   pledged allegiance to Sanusi.

However, the absence of members of the immediate family of the late Emir   did not go unnoticed.

Those knowledgeable about palace affairs discussed in hushed tones, expressing surprise over the development.