by Isi Esene

There are reports of pockets of protests in Kano following today’s selection of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 14th Emir of Kano.

The protesters were reportedly against the choice of Sanusi as the successor to Ado Bayero who ruled as Emir for 51 years.

After the death of the Emir who has been on the throne since 1963, many believed his son Sanusi Ado Bayero will take his place as was the case recently in Gombe and a few other places in recent years.

Rumours were rife on traditional and new media of the announcement of Sanusi Ado Bayero as the new Emir but Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso called for restraint urging the people to stay patient and wait for the official announcement.

According to our source in Kano, “Yes, there were pockets of violence in town but everything has been under control by the police.”

The angry mob reportedly set tyres on fire and mounted road blocks yelling “Ba muso, ba muso’’, meaning, “we don’t want, we don’t want’’ in apparent response to the choice of Sanusi as Emir.

Sources close to the traditional council in Kano say Sanusi is considered an outsider who is not particularly close to the community.

“Sanusi is considered an outsider… an elitist. Five of the sons of the late Emir are district heads who are close to the community but Sanusi is not,” the source said.  “He is considered to be a Yan Boko (too Westernised) by many people,” the source added.

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who as CBN governor declared $49 billion missing from funds accrued to the Federal Government from oil and gas proceeds, got suspended by President Goodluck Jonathan after being accused of financial recklessness. He is still being investigated by the relevant authorities.

By the announcement made this afternoon by Governor Kwankwaso, it is clear that Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is considered to the most qualified among the twenty four candidates who vied for the exalted post of the Emir of Kano.