By:Abdullahi Inuwa
Governor’s Shock Defection, Royal Homecoming and a High-Stakes Power Game
Kano’s ancient emirship has once again been dragged into the heart of modern Nigerian power politics, following a dramatic realignment that has left both the palace and the political class holding their breath.
The political ground shifted today when , the Executive Governor of , formally crossed over to the (APC). The move instantly rewrote the script of the long-running Kano emirship tussle.
Just a day earlier, Kano residents were treated to powerful visuals: , the Emir widely linked with APC backing, returning to Kano city amid heightened security and intense public attention. The timing could not have been more symbolic.
A Battle of Crowns, Backed by Parties
Until now, the emirship divide appeared clear-cut. Aminu Ado Bayero stood firmly in the APC corner, while was politically aligned with the (NNPP)—the very platform that produced Governor Yusuf.
But with the governor’s exit from NNPP, the political shield that once surrounded Sanusi II has visibly weakened, raising questions about whether loyalty has shifted from ideology to survival.
Power, Law and Perception
Political analysts say the Kano emirship crisis has now entered its most decisive phase. Unlike past episodes driven purely by tradition, today’s contest sits at the intersection of three forces:
- Political Control: With APC now holding both federal power and Kano’s governorship, Aminu Ado Bayero’s position appears institutionally strengthened.
- Legal Terrain: Court rulings remain a ticking time bomb, capable of reshaping the outcome overnight.
- Street Legitimacy: In Kano, popular acceptance can be as powerful as any gazette or judgment.
Sanusi II’s supporters argue that emirship is not a party appointment and insist that political defections cannot erase history, influence, or public sentiment. On the other hand, APC strategists see alignment of power as the final piece needed to settle the matter once and for all.
The Political Subtext
Beyond the palace, insiders view the governor’s defection as a strategic calculation—an attempt to stabilise governance, secure federal cooperation, and neutralise an issue that has repeatedly threatened Kano’s peace.
In this chess game, the emirship is more than a crown; it is a symbol of authority, identity, and political dominance in Northern Nigeria.
The Question Kano Is Asking
As dust settles on the governor’s defection and the emir’s return, one question dominates conversations from Sabon Gari to Kofar Kudu:
Will the convergence of power finally crown Aminu Ado Bayero as Kano’s undisputed Emir, or can Muhammadu Sanusi II outlast shifting alliances and reclaim full recognition?
In Kano, history teaches one lesson clearly:
politics may move fast, but legitimacy decides the throne.
