Enthusiasts of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, SLS, are still pondering why such an enigmatic, brilliant and vibrant individual, would choose the conservative and rather boring path of royalty as his next vocation. This thought was viewed, against the backdrop of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s activism as a crusader of good governance and probably a change agent, when he was at one point in time Nigeria’s central bank’s governor.
When Sanusi was forced out of the banking sector after a successful and eventful career, Nigerians were not prepared for the shock they received. Rather than further his passion for advocacy through activism or politics, SLS said he had a calling to be the Emir of Kano.
A prince of immense pedigree, no doubt but the fire of advocacy and calling the powers that be to account, threw his admirers into confusion. SLS became the Emir of Kano, but his penchant for speaking for the public didn’t abate.
The role of Royal fathers in Nigeria is meant to be, the custodian of the peoples culture, norms etc. These requirements were imprinted on the royal fraternity as far back the colonial era and it allowed the colonists get on with their agenda with little or no hindrance.
After independence, politicians carried on the legacy and any broach of independence by any local king was clamped down upon heavily. In the old western region in Nigeria, the Deji, the paramount ruler of Akureland was deposed by the Action Group government headed by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The King was non compliant in his relationship with the regional government. He was perceived as a trouble maker and disruptive.
SLS probably wasn’t a good student of history in that regard. After mounting the throne, the new Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi continued with straying into the political spotlight, rightly though, raising concerns about government policies and excesses.
SLS soon came into conflict with Governor Ganduje of Kano state. The struggle for the moral ground and influence came to a head, with Governor Ganduje breaking the revered Kano emirate into smaller principalities and appointing second class emirs, thereby undermining the authority of the office of the Emir and eventually toppling SLS.
The former central bank governor turned emir left the office, without actually leaving the scene. SLS still saw himself as the authentic Emir and carried himself as such. SLS however didn’t stop at what he loved doing, calling the government out when he felt the need.
The end of Ganduje’s tenure led to the election of his arch political enemy as the new governor of Kano State. The new governor did not pretend to harbouring a complete disdain for his predecessor and was determined to reverse what Ganduje had achieved, both good and bad. It was only going to be a matter of time, that a major coup would be effected.
SLS it would seem is a beneficiary of the new administration wanting to whitewash all that Ganduje ever accomplished, both commendable and not so nice. Politicians in Nigeria are not known to be saintly, rather they are just politicians. It’s important to note that SLS though reinstated to the throne, the government of Kano hasn’t done him any favours. It’s just a case of politicking at play.
On the part of SLS, will he be in a dilemma of wanting to continue where he stopped or just to toe the line and stay out of the political minefield of Kano in particular and the country generally? While contemplating his next move, Nigeria has changed tremendously from how SLS left the political and economic landscape during his first tenure as Emir of the ancient city. President Bola Tinubu is currently in charge, managing a country with daunting economic challenges, and difficult implications on the lives of millions of Nigerians.
Back in Kano state, SLS must realise for a fact that the new governor has a reputation for vindictive tendencies. SLS in reality is faced with two stark choices, stay quiet, keep his throne and the pecks of office or stay true to his natural calling. Only time will tell.
Olugbenga Adebanjo
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