Buhari Not Involved In Sanusi’s Dethronement, All Insinuations Are Politically Motivated

The Presidency has clarified that President Muhammadu Buhari has no involvement in the dethronement of Muhammadu Sanusi as the Emir of Kano.

KanyiDaily had reported that Kano State Government dethroned Sanusi on Monday over alleged insubordination, and immediately appointed Aminu Ado Bayero as his successor.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday, the presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, debunked insinuations that Buhari approved the sacking of Sanusi as Kano Emir.

He said that it was within the jurisdiction of governors to appoint and remove Emirs.

President Muhammadu Buhari has no involvement whatsoever in the dethronement of HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II from the position of Emir of Kano. All such insinuations are untrue, malicious and politically motivated.

— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) March 11, 2020

“President Muhammadu Buhari has no involvement whatsoever in the dethronement of HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II from the position of Emir of Kano. All such insinuations are untrue, malicious and politically motivated,” he wrote.

“The President does not have a history of intervening in the affairs of any state in the country, unless the issue at hand is of national consequence. On such matters which impinge on national security, he has a duty of involvement as the law stipulates.

“As outlined in the Constitution, the appointment or removal of emirs and other traditional leaders is strictly within the jurisdiction of state governments.

“It is unfair and disingenuous of opposition politicians to try to link the situation in Kano State to the federal government and the Nigerian President.

“Although a retired General and fmr. Military Head of State, Pres. Buhari clearly understands that under the current democratic dispensation, the government at the centre cannot read instructions or twist the arms of all or any of the 36 state governments making up the federation.

“They all have their powers specified under the Constitution.

“President Buhari commends the people of Kano for keeping calm in the past few days of the dethronement announcement.

“He prays that the will of Allah will be done at all times, and that the emirate/state and its people continue to experience progress irrespective of who is on the throne.”

Meanwhile, Nelson Mandela’s wife, Graca Machel has expressed sadness over the dethronement of Muhammadu Sanusi as Emir of Kano.

Machel reassured Sanusi that he is not alone in the struggle to ‘confront corruption affecting Northern Nigeria.’ She stressed that she would continue to stand with the dethroned Emir in his courage to always speak the truth to those in power.