Recall that Ganduje had said that Mr Sanusi was removed from office to save the system and the traditional institution.

However, in a statement signed by his Principal Private Secretary Muhammad Ali, Kwankwaso said the high esteem and influence the former Emir possessed made his successor jittery hence his insistence on dethroning him.

Kwankwaso said “We know that Ganduje always feels diminished and inferior in the presence of the Emir, and we know that Gov Ganduje harbours a pathological hatred for the Kano Traditional Institution, that was why he had to dethrone him. We also know that Ganduje was madly obsessed with reversing everything that Sen. Kwankwaso did in the state. And we are aware, for these reasons, Gov. Ganduje was set, ab initio, to destroy the Kano Emirate. And Emir Sanusi II was marked to be the first victim. Let me also put on record that Emir Sanusi II was abducted and illegally dethroned by Gov. Ganduje and his cohorts because of the Emir’s progressive ideas on various issues that affect the people of the state. Everyone knows that Ganduje’s desperation to obtain the $1.8 billion loan and the former Emir’s criticism of the loan is what fuelled the illegal removal of Emir Sanusi II; it had nothing to do with former President Jonathan. It is common knowledge that the Emir was too progressive for Gov. Ganduje’s liking and that was exactly why after his illegal removal and the dismemberment of the Kano Emirate Council, he appointed Emirs that will not question his ill-advised decisions even if they are against the interest of the state and its people.”

Recall that Emir Sanusi’s removal was confirmed on March 9, 2020, by Kano State Secretary to the Government Usman Alhaji, who alleged that he disrespected the lawful instructions from the office of the Governor and lawful authorities

While speaking at the presentation of a book on former President Goodluck Johnathan, authored by a journalist, Bonaventure Philips Melah, Governor Ganduje said Sanusi wasn’t the best man for the throne at the time he was appointed in June 2014. According to him, Sanusi was appointed to spite former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said “Jonathan took a bold step in sacking Sanusi as CBN Governor, which created bad blood in certain circles. When Sanusi said $49 billion was lost in Jonathan’s government, I said in my mind that No, you could have discussed with him (Jonathan) privately. You could have given him this clue and then he would know how to investigate even before those who had stolen the money would find a way of hiding the money.  That statement, I said in my mind was not honourable. That statement created bad blood. Sanusi was appointed Emir of Kano not because he was the best man for the throne but to retaliate what Jonathan did to him. That was in order to prove that what Jonathan did to him was wrong and that the people of Kano wanted their son as Emir and therefore they decided to appoint him as Emir. But when he was appointed, there was a lot of demonstration with people burning tyres here and there. But because of government backing, he was sustained on the stool. When I became governor, (that’s why you will laugh), I said yes, Jonathan medicine is an important medicine. That medicine, even though I am not a medical doctor, but that medicine would serve the same purpose, for the same disease and for the same patient. So I took my Jonathan medicine and decided to save the system, to save the institution and I applied it effectively. So Jonathan and I are on the same page. Actually, I have no regrets.”

The Kano state Governor slammed the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, in an interview BBC Hausa Service on Monday April 27.

He said “We are in a serious problem. I can tell you the situation is really bad and scary. Because what we solely rely upon in fighting the disease is the testing centre. This laboratory suspended its operation five or six days ago. There is also a shortage of sample collection equipment. It is not a common equipment that you can go and buy in the market. Those whose samples were collected are still waiting to know their fate. The problem (is) with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. Even its Director General was in Kano. He spent a night there, but we have not heard from him again. The minister (of health) too knows the laboratory is not working. There is serious problem. We have been complaining that Kano needs more than one testing centre, right from the beginning of this (pandemic). Sincerely speaking, we are not getting deserved attention. If these equipment (testing centre) are under our control, we will do our best to make sure it works properly. But we are not getting the needed support and cooperation from from Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.”

Abdulsalami who headed the committee that mediated in the dispute between Sanusi and Ganduje in 2019, stated that dethronement of Sanusi meant their effort got wasted.

Abdulsalami said “In my view, all the committee’s efforts are wasted. After conclusion of the assignment, we realised that there was amicable resolution to the crisis. Surprisingly, this is what happened at last. I can’t really say whether Buhari has a hand in the matter because I am currently not in Nigeria. But before I left the country, we submitted our report to him, and he expressed willingness to intervene in the matter in order to have amicable resolution, despite being a constitutional matter. I really don’t know if he had intervened. The way this is, I don’t know if he was was involved or not. There are signs that he did because of this our report but I can’t be completely sure, but if he involved himself, I’ll be surprised that we got to this point. But then you know no matter what was said, no matter the advice given, it is what Allah had willed to happen and there’s no one who can change it.”