Dethroned Emir Sanusi’s Many ‘Sins’
If Sanusi Lamido had known, he would have talked less and been less controversial. But now, it is too late as the former Emir of Kano has finally talked himself into trouble, barely six years of ascending the throne of his forefathers. Sanusi was deposed by the Kano State government on Monday, March 9, following a resolution of the Kano State Executive Council on allegations of insubordination.
The action was based on the governor’s powers under the State’s Emirates Law 2019. Aminu Ado Bayero, the former Emir of Bichi, was immediately announced as the new Emir with the endorsement of the four Kano kingmakers.
Later in a 4-minute video message, Sanusi accepted his dethronement as an act of destiny. “…Today, the almighty Allah, who gave me the leadership, has destined to take it back. As I always say, leadership has a predetermined tenure. The days Allah destined are numbered. When the days come to an end one must leave.
“We have accepted whatever Allah decides. We have agreed. We appreciate (God). We are happy and we know it is what is best for us.
We enjoin everyone to remain peaceful. We have directed our family, our children and those that support us that whoever gets it and is endorsed by the people they should pay allegiance to him. They should follow him (the new Emir). They should guard his honour and dignity because that is also the honour and dignity of this palace. It is a thing of pride that made us to rule and end in the same fashion as Halifa (his grandfather’s sobriquet).”
In the last few hours of Sanusi’s dethronement, there has been a mix of hues and cries, as well as a form of karmic payback. There are those who didn’t hide their passionate disdain for Sanusi. Some still try to pretend, but their views are clearly motivated by vendetta.
Beyond the official reasons by the state government, so many reasons have been ascribed to the cause of Sanusi’s present travails.
Many believe that Karma is real. And to many people in the Nigerian banking industry, Sanusi is getting his comeuppance. Within the industry, it is believed that Sanusi, as a former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, created a big drama as he went for his “enemies”. They believe that he killed some of the nation’s best banking brands and by extension, nearly killed the industry.
He claimed he unearthed infractions in some banks. But rather than used moral suasion and ask the Board to quietly remove indicted Chiefs and let other measures follow, he had to ‘deal with his enemies’ in a way that they can only become useless.
Also, many supporters of the former President Goodluck Jonathan are yet to forgive Sanusi for his perceived role in the sacking of his government. To them, Sanusi sowed wind and he’s reaping whirlwind.
In 2014, Sanusi, as CBN Governor, claimed that $20 billion was missing from the nation’s coffers. That claim and the attendant scandals, it was believed, contributed to the eventual defeat of Jonathan in 2015. And many of Jonathan’s supporters have never forgiven him of that sin.