Kwankwaso claims Buhari is behind the removal of Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano

FORMER Kano State governor Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of being behind the removal of the Emir of Kano Alhaji Lamido Sanusi from office earlier this week.

On Monday this week, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, removed the emir from office bringing about an end to the year-long spat between the two men, which began when the monarch appeared to oppose the governor's re-election. Following the swift removal, Alhaji Sanusi was arrested and moved to Nasarawa State and replaced with Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as emir.

Certain to spark off a legal spat, the removal has dominated political discourse within Nigeria over the last 48 hours as at no time was Mallam Sanusi charged with any offence. He was also not given an opportunity to defend himself against any allegations of wrongdoing and Nigeria's constitution does not provide for the banishment of any individual within the country.

Adding to the drama of the matter, Senator Kwankwaso, who appointed Alhaji Sanusi as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2014 said that President Buhari had intervened in the Kano emirate crisis. He went on to describe the removal of Alhaji Sanusi as a sad incident to both Kano State and Nigeria in general.

Senator Kwankwaso said: “We believe here in Kano that Buhari interferes where he wishes. Kano state government officials have been saying they were directed to dethrone Mr Sanusi ll. Buhari instructed them.”

He added that President Buhari does not interfere where his intervention is needed but interferes on issues he is supposed to be neutral about. Senator Kwankwaso eulogised Alhaji Sanusi, describing him as a global citizen.