By Seyi Babalola
The reinstated Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanisi II, has revealed reasons for not challenging his removal as 56th Emir of the Kano Emirate by former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in March 2020.
He disclosed his reasons in an interview he had with Saturday Sun in Kano.
He revealed that he might still be in court for about 20 years if he had approached the court to appeal the Ganduje’s government verdict.
He likened the situation to that of the Emir of Gwandu who was deposed during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo for “almost 20 years” before a State High Court reinstated him.
Recall that a Kebbi State High Court had on Thursday, December 11, 2014, ruled that the Emir of Gwandu who was deposed in 2005 by the Kebbi State Government be reinstated to his stool.
Mustapha Jokolo, the 19th Emir of Gwandu, was deposed by the then state governor, Adamu Aliero, on claims that he was making “reckless statements” that could threaten national security.
He was then banished to Lafia before the court ruled that the deposition was a violation of the rule of law.
However, the Kebbi State government has since taken the matter to the Supreme Court after the appeal court upheld the high court judgement and no verdict has been given on it yet by the apex court.
Sanusi said, “Look at the Emir of Gwandu, who was removed under Obasanjo. How many years now? Almost 20. The state High Court said he was illegally removed, return him. So, there was an appeal. The Court of Appeal said he was illegally removed, return him. It is at the Supreme Court.
“The Supreme Court has not yet spoken out about him. I mean, do I have 20 years to fight in court to come back to a throne?”
Sanusi however, disclosed that even if he had appealed and the court had reinstated him, he wasn’t looking forward to working with the past government again.
He said: “So, let’s even assume that the court said I should come back. Do you think I was looking forward to working with that government? Would I have been happy as an Emir in the last three years working with that government?
“You’re under a governor. The law gives him the power to be on top of you.
“He has said he doesn’t like you. He has made it clear he does not like you.
“If I come, he would just make my life miserable.”
Expressing satisfaction with the way he handled the situation, he said: “So, for me, I had been Emir for six years, alhamdulillah. I had done what I did.
“At least, the only reason I would have gone to court is if they had removed me on an allegation that harmed my reputation because the only currency I have is my integrity.
“So, if they had accused me of fraud or something, I would have had to go to court to clear my name, but they said insubordination.
He further added: “So, the governor was asked, what are the reasons for insubordination?
“He said, ‘sometimes he is invited to meetings, and he does not come’.
“For every well-meaning Nigeria who saw that story, who saw that news, I don’t even need to defend myself because if you are going to remove an Emir and the only reason you can have is that you invite him for some meetings that he does not come, then nobody takes you seriously.”