Confusion has enveloped some parts of Kano state after a portrait of the dethroned 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, was hung on the coronation hall wall of Kano State Government house over the weekend.

Rumor has been rife in the state that the incumbent administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf have concluded plans to reinstate Emir Sanusi as the sole Emir of Kano instead of the five existing Emirs created by the immediate past governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje.

Recall that Ganduje in 2019, signed a law that created four additional emirates in the state, leaving Lamido Sanusi, then Emir of Kano, with control of 10 out of 44 local government areas. Then in March 2020, Sanusi was dethroned as the Emir of Kano “for total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the governor”.

Over the weekend, photos of the dethroned Emir hung in the state government house resurfaced online.

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.

“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