EMIRS' SANUSI II VS AMINU ADO BAYERO'S POWER TUSSLE: POLITICAL SOLUTION IN SIGHT
EMIRS' SANUSI II VS AMINU ADO BAYERO'S POWER TUSSLE: POLITICAL SOLUTION IN SIGHT
By:
Nurudeen Dauda
30th January,2026
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To start with, the present "power tussle" on Kano emir's throne has lingered too much because of the politics involve in the tussle through both visible and invisible hands from within and outside Kano State. It is obvious that Kwankwaso vs Ganduje political rivalry is at the center of it. The Kano APC vs NNPP's politics sustains the tussle.
The commissioner of information of Kano State hinted that following the defection of Governor Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf to the ruling APC a resolution will soon be found on the emirship tussle. Before now we have an emir allegedly being backed by the Ganduje's APC and an emir backed by Kwankwaso/ Abbas's NNPP. In the coming days, one of the two contenting parties will definitely be sacrificed. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf have a decision to make. May the Almighty Allah guide him in making the best decision in the overall interest of Kano State.
It is now about 133 years that the people of Kano witnessed a bloody Civil War over a "power tussle" between the descendants of Emir Ibrahim Dabo who happened to be the second Funali Emir under the Fulani Dynasty in Kano State over Emir succession.
The power tussle that led to the Kano Civi War (1893-1895) then was between the branch of Emir Abdullahi Maje Karofi and the branch of Emir Muhammadu Bello both of whom are children of Emir Ibrahim Dabo. Historians argued that the Civil War that broke out in Kano then happened to be the worst ever violence that happened in Kano. The unfortunate Civi War was very bloody; Kano was stained with blood due to the bloodshed. May the Almighty Allah prevent a repeat of that horrible experience in Kano!
Prince Muhammadu Tukur the son of Emir Muhammadu Bello was alleged to be very "unpopular" in the then Kano Emirate among both the traditional title-holders and the people in general. It was further alleged that despite his "unpopularity" the then Emir Muhammadu Bello his father dearly wanted his son Prince Muhammadu Tukur to succeed him in the throne. It was alleged that Emir Muhammadu Bello had lobbied very well for his son to succeed him through been very generous and nice to the Sokoto Caliphate.
Under the Sokoto Caliphate before the colonial conquest, the Sultan of Sokoto being the head of the Caliphate was the then final "appointing authority" for all "new" selected emirs to all emirates under the Caliphate. Emir Muhammadu Bello dan Ibrahim Dabo (the father)- died in 1893. As he wished Emir Muhammadu Tukur (his son) was appointed by Sultan Abdurahaman Atiku (Sultan Abduraham Danyen Kasko). Prince Galadima Yusuf from the branch of Abdullahi Maje Karofi dan Ibrahim Dabo was said to be the favorite of the Kano Emirate electors.
The death of Emir Muhammadu Bello in 1893 created a succession crisis within the Kano Emirate. he appointment of Muhammadu Tukur as the new Emir, bypassing other contenders by Sultan Abdurrahman of Sokoto, the overlord of Kano, made Prince Galadima Yusuf the Son Emir Abdullahi Maje Karofi to rebel and left Kano for Takai. Prince Galadima Yusuf, a rival claimant to the throne, led a strong rebellion against Tukur's appointment, viewing it as an injustice.
The Kano Civil War, also known as Yakin Basasa, erupted in 1893. It was a power struggle that led to a devastating Civil War, ultimately resulting in Emir Tukur's death and the victory of Galadima Yusuf's faction, with Aliyu Babba dan Abdullahi Maje Karofi dan Ibrahim Dabo ( Galadima Yusuf's younger brother) becoming the new Emir in 1895 (2 years after).
The dispute escalated into a full-blown Civil War, with both sides mobilizing forces and allies. The war was marked by intense fighting, sieges, and widespread destruction. There were also reports of mass enslavement by both sides. Prince Galadima Yusuf died during the conflict, and his younger brother Aliyu Babba took over the leadership of the rebellion. In 1894, Aliyu's forces conquered Kano, forcing Tukur to flee. Tukur was eventually assassinated in Guri, marking the end of the Kano Civil War.
However, there are many things in Kano Emirate that are repeats of history. In 1903, the colonial masters after conquering Kano they dethroned Emir Aliyu Babba and vanished him to Lokoja. In 1963, the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardaunan Sokoto dethroned Emir Muhammadu Sanusi I essentially over a "power tussle" between the duo. Emir Sanusi I was banished to Azare of the present Bauchi State. Before the duo fell apart, Emir Sanusi I and Sir Ahmadu Bello were the best of friends as well as In-laws.
In the Second Republic following a "sour" relationship between the late highly revered Emir Ado Bayero of Kano and the then governor Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi of Kano State governor Rimi on the 1st of April,1981 whittled down the "power" of Emir Bayero by creating four new emirates of Gaya, Rano, Dutse, and Auyo and also raised the status of the then Second Class Emirs of Gumel, Hadejia, and Kazaure emirates of the Old Kano State to "First Class Status".
In the 1980s, Governor Rimi fell apart with Mallam Aminu Kano who was the founder of the then People's Redemption Party (PRP). Governor Rimi' later resigned as Governor and left the PRP to the Nigerian People's Party (NPP) in order to contest for his re-election, but he however, lost to Alh. Sabo Aliyu Bakin Zuwa who was the candidate of the PRP in 1983 election . Alh. Sabo Aliyu Bakin Zuwa upon his assumption in office as Governor in Kano in 1983 reversed the creation of the said four newly created emirates back to the status quo. That continued even after 1991 when Jigawa state was created from Kano State. Kano Emirate remained the only First Class Emirate in Kano State untill 2019.
Emir Muhammadu Sunusi II had had a running battle with Governor Ganduje of Kano State over the governor's "Light rail project" for Kano City which the Emir openly criticized. In 2019, Governor Ganduje created four new Emirates of Rano, Gaya, Bichi, and Karaye in order to whittle down the power of Emir Sanusi II. More so, Governor Ganduje finally dethroned Emir Sanusi II in 2020. Emir Sanusi II having removed he moved on with his life.
It is apt to state that Kano started as a City-state in 999AD. Kano witnessed more than 56 traditional leaders in the status of Sarki/Emir from Habe, Kutumbi and to Fulani dynasties. It is worth nothing to state that Sarki Muhammadu Kukuna (1651-1652AD) was dethroned and vanished to Zaria and then later re-emerged as the leader of the state for eight years and seven months in 1652AD.
In 2024, Governor Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf who is also a member of the Gidan Dabo Dynasty abolished the newly created Emirates established by Governor Ganduje in 2019 returned Kano Emirate as the only First Class Emirate with Emir Muhammad Sanusi II as Emir. The 15th Emir of Kano, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero who became the Emir of Kano after the Dethronment of Emir Sanusi II kicked against his Dethronment.
This is a "contention" between the descendants of Emir Ibrahim Dabo. The power tussle is between the 15th Emir of Kano, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero the son of Emir Ado Bayero the son of Emir Abdullahi Bayero the son of Emir Muhammadu Abbas the son of Emir Abdullahi Maje Karofi the son of Emir Ibrahim Dabo and the 14th Emir of Kano, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II the son of Ciroman Kano Ambassador Muhammadu Aminu Sanusi the son of Emir (Khalifa) Muhammadu Sanusi I the son of Emir Abdullahi Bayero the son of Emir Muhammadu Abbas the son of Emir Abdullahi Maje Karofi the son of Emir Ibrahim Dabo.
May the Almighty Allah bring an amicable resolution to this contention. May the Almighty Allah choose the best for Kano State.
Amen!