The Nigerian judiciary is supposed to be the cornerstone of justice and the rule of law, yet it seems more like a toothless tiger, roaring loudly but with no bite. When a court issues an order, you’d expect people to follow it, right? Well, in Nigeria, it’s more like a suggestion that people can simply ignore. This is precisely what we saw when Muhammadu Sanusi II has received his appointment letter as the Emir of Kano just a day after being reinstated, despite a Federal High Court in Kano issuing an ex-parte order preventing Governor Abba Yusuf from reinstating him.
“Parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante the passage of and assent of the bill into law pending the hearing of the Fundamental Rights application,” Justice Liman stated.
The Farce of Authority
For those who dabble in government affairs, the Kano State Emirate is almost synonymous with Kano State itself. Historically, the Emirate spanned a larger area, some of which now lies in Jigawa State, forming Dutse and Ringim Emirates. The Emir, who leads the Emirate Council, supposedly holds significant sway over cultural and religious matters in Kano. But let’s not kid ourselves—the real power lies elsewhere.
Following local government reforms, the executive powers once wielded by the Emir was transferred to local councils, who are either elected or appointed by the Kano State Governor. The Emir only served as a cultural and religious figurehead, a role that seems more ceremonial than authoritative.
The Downfall and Resurrection of Emir Sanusi
Let’s rewind to 2020, when the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, was unceremoniously removed from his throne. His crime? Alleged “insubordination” to the northern state authorities. But let’s be real; his downfall was more about politics than insubordination. Sanusi, a former central bank chief, had been butting heads with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje since 2017. His outspoken criticism of government policies and his opposition to Ganduje’s re-election didn’t win him any favors.
Consequently, Sanusi was deposed and sent into exile, stripped of his position and influence. But now, lSanusi is back. Governor Yusuf, arguing that reinstating Sanusi will bring peace and prosperity, signed the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law, nullifying the previous law that had ousted Sanusi.
The Mockery of Law
The judiciary, meanwhile, stands helpless. Justice Liman’s ruling to maintain the status quo until the constitutional issues are resolved was blatantly ignored. The court had also halted the implementation of a new law that abolished the emirates created by Ganduje, yet the governor proceeded as if the court’s orders were merely advisory.
The case, filed by Aminu Babba-Dan Agundi, challenges the Kano State government’s recent actions, but with the government, police, and security forces all named as defendants, it’s clear where the power really lies. The judiciary’s orders seem like background noise to the drama of political power plays.
The Spectacle of Reappointment
The reappointment ceremony was a grand spectacle. Governor Yusuf, traditional rulers, kingmakers, and other dignitaries gathered at the Kano State Government House’s Art Chamber, awaiting Sanusi’s arrival. The governor had just signed the bill into law, and Sanusi was already at the venue to receive his appointment letter. Four years after his dramatic deposition, Sanusi was back on the throne. The new law, which replaced Ganduje’s 2019 law that split the Kano Emirate into five, dissolved the emirate councils created by Ganduje. In 2019, Ganduje had used this law to divide the Emirate and subsequently deposed Sanusi, but in a remarkable turn of events, the same Emir who was removed is now reinstated, showcasing the ever-revolving door of Nigerian politics.
Conclusion
Political leaders wield power with little regard for the rule of law, and traditional rulers are pawns in a larger game of political chess. In the end, most people are quite pleased to see Sanusi back.
Unfortunately, his friend Herbert Wigwe is not alive to witness this moment. The judiciary, meanwhile, remains sidelined, its authority in question, as the spectacle of power and tradition continues unabated.
