Kano Emirship Dispute: Ganduje Insists Supreme Court Will Deliver Final Verdict

Kano Emirship Dispute: Ganduje Insists Supreme Court Will Deliver Final Verdict

Former Kano State Governor and APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has clarified his position on the ongoing Kano Emirship dispute, stating that only the Supreme Court of Nigeria has the constitutional authority to deliver a final and binding judgment on the matter. He stressed that whatever decision is reached by the apex court will be implemented by the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, in line with the rule of law and due process.

The clarification comes amid reports alleging that Ganduje had endorsed Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano and Chairman of the Kano State Council of Chiefs. In a statement issued by his former Commissioner for Information and current Chief of Staff, Comrade Muhammad Garba, Ganduje dismissed the reports as a misrepresentation of facts. He explained that his reference to Sanusi by his traditional title during a public event was purely ceremonial and should not be interpreted as political endorsement or legal recognition. According to the statement, “It is important to clarify that what happened was simply an expression of respect in a public gathering. It should not be misconstrued as an endorsement.”

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Ganduje maintained that the Kano emirship tussle remains sub judice, warning against public comments that could prejudice ongoing judicial proceedings or amount to contempt of court. He recalled that the Court of Appeal had earlier ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the final judgment of the Supreme Court. According to him, the current legal position recognises Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Emir of Kano and Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 14th Emir, pending the apex court’s final ruling.

The former governor further stated that as a past leader, he has no constitutional authority to approve, endorse, or remove any Emir, stressing that the matter rests solely with the judiciary and the state government after final adjudication. Ganduje also expressed concern over what he described as unnecessary media exaggeration of routine protocol events, warning against misinterpretation that could inflame tensions in Kano. He said, “The interpretation being given to the remark is clearly exaggerated. All parties should exercise restraint and await the Supreme Court judgment.”

The Kano Emirship crisis began after the state government repealed the Kano Emirates Council Law introduced during Ganduje’s administration, a law that created additional emirates and led to the deposition of Muhammadu Sanusi II in 2020. Following the repeal, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reinstated Sanusi as Emir of Kano, while supporters of Aminu Ado Bayero challenged the move in court, resulting in parallel claims to the throne.

The dispute has since sparked political, legal and traditional tensions in Kano, with multiple court rulings and appeals prolonging the crisis. Security agencies have repeatedly urged calm, warning that inflammatory statements could worsen tensions in the state. The Supreme Court verdict is now widely expected to provide final clarity on the rightful occupant of the Kano royal stool.

Kano Emirship Dispute: Ganduje Insists Supreme Court Will Deliver Final Verdict