The Tinubu-Kwankwaso Rift: Revisiting the Sanusi Emirship Saga
The brewing tension between President Bola Tinubu and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso over recent tax reform bills has reignited discussions about a pivotal moment in Kano’s political history—the controversial appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (SLS) as Emir of Kano in 2014.
Kwankwaso, in his recent remarks, accused the “Lagos Axis,” a term he used to describe Tinubu’s political allies, of attempting to “colonize” the North through policies like the proposed tax reforms. However, Salisu Yakasai, former spokesperson to Abdullahi Ganduje, has countered this narrative, accusing Kwankwaso of hypocrisy and self-interest.
The 2014 Power Play: Tinubu’s Role in Emir Sanusi’s Appointment
Salisu Yakasai, former spokesperson to Abdullahi Ganduje, also revealed that in 2014, following the death of Emir Ado Bayero, the selection of his successor sparked intense political maneuvering. While the Kano kingmakers reportedly submitted a list of three nominees for the throne, none included Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the former Central Bank Governor. However, members of the so-called “Lagos Axis” stepped in, lobbying Kwankwaso, then Governor of Kano, to appoint Sanusi as Emir.
Sanusi’s appointment was perceived as a calculated move to spite then-President Goodluck Jonathan, with whom Sanusi had clashed publicly over allegations of corruption in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The “Lagos Axis” reportedly convinced Kwankwaso that installing Sanusi would strengthen his political standing ahead of a planned presidential bid in 2019.
Kwankwaso’s Alleged Complicity
Dawisu’s statement underscores Kwankwaso’s pivotal role in facilitating Tinubu’s lobbying efforts. By acquiescing to the “Lagos Axis,” Kwankwaso overrode the preferences of many Kano residents, who reportedly favored a more traditional candidate from the Bayero family. Sanusi’s ascension was met with mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a politically motivated imposition rather than a decision rooted in Kano’s traditions.
Hypocrisy and the Current Rift
Dawisu argues that Kwankwaso’s current criticism of Tinubu’s policies reflects a shift in priorities rather than genuine concern for Northern interests.
“In 2014, Kwankwaso aligned with Tinubu and the ‘Lagos Axis’ to impose SLS as Emir. Now that the policies of the same Tinubu administration don’t align with his personal interests, he cries foul,” Dawisu wrote.
Kwankwaso’s accusation that Tinubu is meddling in Kano politics has been interpreted by some as a deflection from his own history of political opportunism.
Legacy of the Sanusi Appointment
The 2014 Emirship saga remains a significant chapter in Kano’s political history, illustrating how national politics often intersects with traditional institutions. For Tinubu, the lobbying effort was a strategic move to consolidate influence in the North. For Kwankwaso, it was a calculated gamble to align with powerful allies, albeit at the cost of alienating some Kano constituents.
As the Tinubu-Kwankwaso rift deepens, the events of 2014 serve as a reminder of the complex interplay of power, ambition, and alliances in Nigerian politics. Whether the current feud will reshape political dynamics in Kano or remain a war of words between two political heavyweights remains to be seen.