Mallam Muhammud Sanusi
Perhaps, it is time for the dethroned Emir of Kano Mallam Muhammud Sanusi to take a break from fighting political, social, economic and traditional battles that has been hanging around his neck since his days as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
He has proven himself not only as an economic expert but also as an outspoken traditional ruler who raised his voice in condemnation of the negative happenings in the Northern part of Nigeria.
In many occasions, he has criticised the Northern Governors for how they have impoverished their different states as he canvassed for the wellbeing of the Northern region.
To many Nigerians, his dethronement was not shocking as they have monitored the many battles he has been fighting as a traditional ruler in Kano state before he was eventually dethroned by the Kano state Government under the leadership of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
The former Emir of Kano was born to a ruling class Fulani family of the Sullubawa clan, his grandfather, Muhammadu Sanusi I, was the 11th Emir of Kano until 1963, when he was deposed by his cousin Sir Ahmadu Bello.
He graduated from King’s College, Lagos, he then proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, where he received a bachelor’s degree in economics.
He ascended the throne in 2014, following the death of his granduncle Ado Bayero, before his accession, Sanusi was an economist and banker.
He served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014 when he was suspended by former President Goodluck Jonathan after raising the alarm on the US$20 billion NNPC scandal.
Sanusi’s tenure initiated several extensive banking reforms which focused on enhancing the quality of banks, establishing financial stability, enabling healthy financial sector evolution, and ensuring that the financial sector contributes to the real economy.
Sanusi has been criticized by conservatives in Northern Nigeria for making several comments on socio-political issues impacting the region, He has called for an end to child marriage, building more schools instead of mosques, and infrastructural development, Sanusi has called for population planning, and has said that polygamy is increasing poverty in the region, Sanusi has also advocated for eugenics to solve the almajiri issue.
Since becoming Emir, Sanusi has spoken out on government policies, breaking with royal tradition. He has criticised the government of misplaced priorities. In 2017, the emirate council was under investigation for corruption, The investigation was later called off by the state legislature following intervention by the ruling class.
In 2019, Kano state Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje signed into law the creation of four new emirates. This unprecedented move saw Sanusi’s traditional domain as emir reduced.
As central bank Governor, he led a radical anti-corruption campaign, dismissing Cecilia Ibru and other bank heads who had mismanaged customer deposits.
On 9 March 2020, Sanusi was dethroned by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje after he was accused of persistent refusal to attend official meetings and programmes organized by the Government.
Who is the person to wear the crown as the next Emir of kano?