Kano erupts over selection of Sanusi as Emir
Former CBN Governor, Alhaji Sanus Lamido Sanusi, New Emir of Kano
Protests erupted in Kano on Sunday over the appointment of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as the Emir of kano.
The immediate past CBN governor, whose tenure expired while he was serving suspension for alleged financial recklessness, was chosen over other main contestest Sanusi bayero, son of the late Emir.
It was laernt that the Bayero was preffered by the Emirs Council to succeed his father, but the appointment of ex-CBN governor was facilitated by the state Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso, who is authorized ro chosen from a list of three nominees.
The aggrieved indigenes set bonfires around in major parts of the Kano metropolis, especially Kofar Nassarawa. Road to Government House, Kano, from former Silver Jubilee round-about blocked by irate youths, while motorists were forced to fix leaves to their windscreens.
A car was lighted by the mob at former Silver Jubilee roundabout. The motorist whose car was torched declined to put leaves on his car and the mob reacted by burning it. Although there were reports that there one live had been lost, it could not be independently confirmed by THE RAINBOW cannot independently confirm it. The state government has deployed security personnel to the area to disperse the protesters.
It was learnt that the streets of Kano were being deserted by residents as tension and anxiety envelops the city.
Security forces have been mobilised for crowd dispersal. Police men stationed in strategic round-abouts. Patrol teams headed for flashpoint at Kofar Nassarawa.
Security men had earlier stopped youths from entering the palace of the Emir of Kano after the government announced Lamido Sanusi as new emir.
The Secretary to the Government of Kano state, Rabi'u Bichi, had earlier announced the selection of Mr. Sanusi as the new emir of Kano following his recommendation by the kingmakers and approval by Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Mr. Bichi made the brief announcement at Government House, Kano, on Sunday. He disclosed that the government chose Mr. Sanusi's out of three candidates forwarded to him by Kano Kingmakers.
'Under state customary law, the kingmakers comprising the Madaki, Sarkin Bai, Makaman and Sarkin Dawaki Maituta had sat down and forwarded three names to the government to choose the one that will succeed the Late Emir Ado Abdullahi Bayero.
'Out of these three names the government has approved Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Dan Majen Kano, and former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as the new emir of Kano,' the SSG said.
Premium Times reports that a source at the Emirate council said the supporters of Mr. Bayero were protesting because they felt shortchanged.
'Earlier in the day, message came to the Prince while he was at the palace receiving condolences that he needed to go and get set for turbanning in case he was the one selected, so, many of his supporters followed him to his private residence and most of them assumed that he must have been selected since he was getting set for turbanning,' our source said.
'Unknown to many, both nominees were required to be ready whether they will eventually be selected or not, but many misconstrued the order and were shocked when Sanusi Lamido was eventually announced and they are the ones protesting now.'