Kano, Nigeria – Tension don heighten for Kano Emirate as police seal off the official residence of Galadiman Kano in Galadanci of Gwale Local Government Area. This security operation, wey start Thursday night, dey worsen the ongoing emirship crisis for the ancient city.
The sealing off followed the turbaning of two different individuals as Galadiman Kano by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and Emir Aminu Ado Bayero. The residence, reserved for the titleholder, now dey heavily guarded by police wey dey stationed vehicles at all entry points.
According to sources, this security measure dey sour for the Galadanci community and the royal family wey find themselves divided among the two Galadimas, wey both be blood relatives. A senior family member lamented, “This na all politics; we no dey happy about wetin dey happen. Both Galadimas na our sons. If police no dey, we go welcome am back with open arms.”
Additionally, a female family member wey no want make im name show express fears about the emirship crisis, saying, “We no dey take sides. We dey sad say our family dey split under something wey dey beyond our control. Even the state chairman of APC dey from this family, and he no happy about this rift.”
Earlier dis week, Emir Sanusi II direct renovations for the Galadima residence in preparation for Munir Sanusi to move in. For traditional practice, the house na for the sitting Galadiman Kano.
Many observers don see the sealing of the residence as interference for the emirate’s internal affairs, suggesting say na politics dey drive the issue instead of security concerns.
This emirship battle don escalate since the death of former Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi earlier this year. After him dead, Emir Sanusi II appoint Munir Sanusi, him uncle, to take the title. Less than two weeks later, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero counter with him own appointment of Sanusi Ado Bayero as Galadima Kano. Dis development don lead to tension over the control of the emirate.
In 2020, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf don restore Emir Sanusi II after him being toppled under former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, due to the 2019 Kano State Emirates Council law wey split the emirate into five separate ones.
Despite no official recognition from state government, Bayero don return to Kano and dey operate from Nasarawa Palace, holding court and attending public functions. Sanusi II, on the other hand, dey enjoy the support of the state government and hold his activities in Gidan Rumfa, the historic palace.
Nigeria’s constitution grants state governments the power to manage emirate affairs. As such, the standoff dey create a complex political landscape where two emirs dey share authority. This duality of power dey create significant tensions as two Galadimas now exist.
The historical significance of the Galadima title cannot be overstated; this position dey hold cultural and political importance, often seen as a pathway to the throne of the emirate, wey don be held by prominent figures in the past.
As the two emirs carry out parallel turbaning ceremonies, the institution wey suppose dey foster unity don turn to a battlefield for political game. Observers dey fear say the sealing off of the Galadima’s residence fit lead to further confrontations as both camps dey entrenched in their positions.
In Kano, wey get rich cultural heritage, the current state of the emirate don lead to widespread disappointment. Once a symbol of unity, the vibrant traditions now dey used for political warfare. The future dey uncertain as the two Galadimas claim the title and the emirate dey reach critical crossroads.
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