In a surprising show of reconciliation, former Kano governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje publicly addressed Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano, marking a notable shift after years of political and traditional rivalry.
The moment occurred during the swearing-in of Murtala Sule Garo as deputy governor at the Government House in Kano, where both men were seen exchanging warm greetings before an audience of dignitaries. The gesture drew attention given their history. In 2020, Ganduje dethroned Sanusi and installed Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Emir of Kano.
However, the current governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, reversed that decision in May 2024 after signing the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law, which reinstated Sanusi as the 16th Emir and dissolved the additional emirates created under Ganduje’s administration.
The move also removed Bayero and other emirs, sparking an ongoing legal dispute over the legitimacy of the Kano emirship. Despite the unresolved court battle, Ganduje’s public recognition of Sanusi as Emir is being interpreted as a significant softening of tensions.
Both figures attended the ceremony alongside other political heavyweights, including Ibrahim Shekarau and Barau Jibrin. The oath of office was administered by Dije Abdu Aboki, with top government officials, lawmakers, and traditional leaders present.
Analysts say the public handshake between Ganduje and Sanusi could signal a turning point in the long-standing feud that has shaped Kano’s political and traditional landscape in recent years. While the legal dispute over the emirship continues, the development may help ease tensions within the state and influence political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections.