Emirate Tussle: Confusion as Sanusi, Bayero Appoint Separate Galadiman Kano

The crisis rocking the Kano Emirate deepened on Saturday as both the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, made separate appointments to the traditional title of Galadiman Kano.

Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero approved the appointment of Alhaji Sanusi Ado Bayero, eldest son of the late Emir Ado Bayero, as the new Galadiman Kano. A letter dated April 21, 2025, and signed by Senior Administrative Officer Awaisu Abbas Sanusi, stated that the appointment followed a meeting presided over by Emir Bayero on April 16, 2025.

According to the letter, titled “Notice of Permission to Enter the Nasarawa Palace Mosque for Your Installation as Galadiman Kano,” Sanusi Ado Bayero was invited to the Palace Mosque at Gidan Sarki, Nassarawa, on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. for his official turbaning.

However, a parallel appointment had earlier been made by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. On April 9, 2025, Sanusi II approved the elevation of Alhaji Munir Sanusi Bayero from Wamban Kano to Galadiman Kano. This appointment was conveyed in a letter signed by the Matawallen Kano, Aliyu Ibrahim Ahmad.

The emergence of two Galadiman Kano titleholders underscores the deepening division within the Kano Emirate, following the controversial reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II, who was dethroned in 2020.

Last week, Emir Sanusi had appointed his own Galadiman Kano following the death of the previous titleholder, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi.

With both emirs asserting parallel authority, traditional leadership in Kano is facing unprecedented confusion and uncertainty.