Fresh details have emerged surrounding the sealing of the entrance to the palace of Emir Muhammad Sanusi II in Kano on Friday, a move reportedly taken by security operatives to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order in the town of Bichi, where the Emir was set to oversee the installation of a new district head.
Although the Nigeria Police Force has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident, sources have revealed that the decision to seal off the palace was based on intelligence suggesting that some residents of Bichi were planning to disrupt the installation ceremony. A source speaking on condition of anonymity told Nigerian Tribune, “Residents of Bichi town were allegedly planning to prevent the installation from taking place. Security operatives acted swiftly to maintain peace and order.”
The police action not only sealed off the entrance to the palace but also discouraged notable dignitaries from attending the event. This move highlights the growing discontent surrounding the installation of the district head, with many in Bichi perceiving it as a significant downgrade in their town’s status. The installation ceremony, part of a broader reshuffling of traditional leadership structures, follows the dissolution of the five Emirate Councils by the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Bichi’s exclusion from the list of towns that will have a second-class emir, a status given to other towns affected by the dissolution, has fueled widespread resentment among local residents. Many in Bichi see the appointment of a district head as a direct demotion, given the historical significance of the town within the Emirate hierarchy. Prior to the dissolution, Bichi was one of the prominent towns under the Kano Emirate, but the restructuring by Governor Yusuf has left it relegated in terms of traditional authority.
Some local stakeholders have defended the police action, calling it necessary to prevent what could have escalated into a larger crisis. The police presence was evident from early Friday morning, with heavily armed officers stationed at Kofar Kudu, the main entrance to the Emir’s palace, effectively restricting movement in and around the area.
The developments are part of a wider context of tensions surrounding Kano’s traditional leadership. The restructuring of the Emirate Councils and the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi II after his removal by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje have created deep divisions within the state. While the traditional leadership system in Kano has long been a source of political influence, the ongoing restructuring efforts have heightened the friction between different factions, with implications for both governance and social order in the region.
Governor Yusuf’s decision to dissolve the Emirate Councils, including the once-powerful Bichi Emirate, has ignited debates over the future of Kano’s traditional institutions and the balance of power within the state. This, combined with the lingering effects of Emir Sanusi’s controversial removal, has added layers of complexity to an already volatile political landscape, further underscoring the delicate nature of leadership in Kano.
