Aportrait of the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II hanging on the coronation hall wall of Kano State Government house has generated wide reactions and palpable fears in the ancient city of Kano.
The portrait has since been trending on social media.
There was speculation in the ancient city that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had concluded plans to reinstate Emir Sanusi as the sole Emir of Kano instead of the five existing Emirs.
Ganduje had fragmented the State Emirate Councils into five of main Kano, Rano, Karaye, Bichi and Gaya with the Emir of Kano as the Chairman of the State Councils of Emirs.
Although the state government had severally denied moves to reinstate Sanusi, the recent resurfacing of the 14th Fulani Emir at the main coronation hall caused tongues to wag.
But reacting to the replacing of the Sanusi portrait, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa said placing the portrait of the dethroned Emir in the coronation hall was part of its ongoing facelift of the hall and the portrait of the 14th Emir was returned because the hall is synonymous to him.
Dawakin-Tofa in a statement, said: “The history of the coronation hall is synonymous to the 14th emir of Kano Malam Muhammadu Sanusi because it was built for his presentation of staff of office after he was crowned as the emir succeeding late Alhaji Ado Bayero in 2014 during the administration of Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
“So traditionally, his picture shall remain there forever. Bringing back the picture of the 14th is part of the ongoing rehabilitation to give the Coronation hall a face lift,” Dawakin-Tofa said.