Muhammadu Dallatu, a close associate of Kano’s Emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, explained why the monarch did not attend former President Muhammadu Buhari’s funeral in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday.
According to Dallatu, the emir was in the United Kingdom on official business and is anticipated to return to Nigeria on Wednesday (today).
He stated, ‘The Emir will not attend. He’s not even in the country. He travelled to London for an official engagement and is expected back on Wednesday.”
It was also gathered that Emir Sanusi took part in the 2025 Access Bank Polo Tournament held in Surrey, England, where he was seen alongside prominent global figures, including England’s national football team manager, Thomas Tuchel.
In contrast, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano, attended the late former president’s state funeral in Daura on Tuesday morning.
Abubakar Naisa, Bayero’s spokesperson, confirmed the development, stating that the emir was accompanied by traditional rulers from Jigawa State.
“Yes, His Highness Aminu Ado Bayero left Kano this (Tuesday) morning for Daura to pay his last respects,” Kofar Naisa said. “He is attending the burial alongside the Emirs of Kazaure and Dutse.”
The Kano Emirate is embroiled in a leadership crisis following the dethronement of Muhammadu Sanusi II, who reigned as Emir from 2014 to March 2020 under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration.
Ganduje also divided the Kano Emirate into five independent emirates, naming Sanusi’s nephew, Ado Bayero, as one of them. Bayero moved to the main palace in March 2020.
However, in May 2024, Governor Abba Yusuf annulled the 2019 Emirate Council Law, disbanded the newly established emirates, and reinstalled Sanusi as the single Emir of a unified Kano Emirate.
However, Ado Bayero refused to depart the palace, insisting on a legal settlement to the situation.
