Fresh information coming in suggests that small pockets of protests have started in a few areas of Kano due to the selection of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new Emir of Kano.

Currently youths are burning tyres around Government House road, Koffar Nasarawa and the Silver Jubilee roundabout. 

People are advised to thread carefully, but security forces are said to already be on hand to quel the disturbance

Fresh information coming in suggests that small pockets of protests have started in a few areas of Kano due to the selection of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new Emir of Kano.

Currently youths are burning tyres around Government House road, Koffar Nasarawa and the Silver Jubilee roundabout. 

People are advised to thread carefully, but security forces are said to already be on hand to quel the disturbance.

Excerpts of an article culled from an online source reads:

The supporters of Sanusi Ado Bayero, the son of the late Emir of Kano, who was defeated by Lamido Sanusi to emerge the emir of the ancient city, have taken to the streets to protest the rejection of their preferred candidate.

A resident of the town, Ibrahim Hamisu, told journalist that the protesters set up bonfires using tyres around the Emirs’ palace.

He also said another group of protesters, who were marching to the Government House, were stopped by armed soldiers and policemen who formed a barricade to stop them from getting near the seat of government.

Another resident, Bala Usman, said the protesters were also destroying all government properties in sight.

The Secretary to the Government of Kano state, Rabi’u Bichi, had earlier announced the selection of Mr. Sanusi as the new emir of Kano following his recommendation by the kingmakers and approval by Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Mr. Bichi made the brief announcement at Government House, Kano, on Sunday. He disclosed that the government chose Mr. Sanusi’s out of three candidates forwarded to him by Kano Kingmakers.

“Under state customary law, the kingmakers comprising the Madaki, Sarkin Bai, Makaman and Sarkin Dawaki Maituta had sat down and forwarded three names to the government to choose the one that will succeed the Late Emir Ado Abdullahi Bayero.

“Out of these three names the government has approved Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Dan Majen Kano, and former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as the new emir of Kano,” the SSG said.

Secretary to the Kano state Government , Alhaji Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi, (3rdfrom left) announcing the appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new emir of Kano. From left are the kingmakers the Sarkin Dawaki Maituta, Alh. Bello Abubakar, the Sakin Bai, Alh. Mukhtar I Adnan, the Makama, Alh. Sarki Obrahim and the Madaki, Alh. Yusuf Nabahani Ibrahim, while on the right are the commissioners of Information and State Affairs, Dr. Abubakar Nuhu Danburam and Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam respectively. Photo: Govt. House, Kano. 8/6/2014

It would be recalled that earlier in the day, the alleged Twitter handle of Lamido Sanusi was used to congratulate Alh Sunusi the son of the deceased Emir on his victory, giving the impression that Lamido Sanusi was out of the race. Several papers even ran the story, saying that Sunusi the son of the late Ado Bayero was selected, only for a reversal of that development this afternoon, saying that infact Lamido Sanusi had been chosen.

If true, this may cast aspersions on the transparency of the selection process and may show that politics may have infilterated into the “noble” selection process. It is a clear fact that Sanusi has been in loggerheads with the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan was has been a vocal critic since he was deposed from his position of Central Bank Governor. With this new development, it may thrown an interesting mix to the already complex 2015 Presidential race.

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Breaking News: Protests in Kano over Lamido Sanusi’s selection as Emir of Kano