Why Emir sunusi Was Absent at Buhari’s Burial – Close Associate Explains
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| Why Emir sunusi |
A close associate of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has clarified the reason behind the monarch’s absence at the funeral of former President Muhammadu Buhari, which was held in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
Speaking to The PUNCH, Muhammadu Dallatu disclosed that the Emir was out of the country on an official engagement in the United Kingdom and was expected to return to Nigeria on Wednesday (today).
“The Emir will not attend. He is not even in the country. He travelled to London for an official engagement and is expected back on Wednesday,” Dallatu stated.
Further findings by The PUNCH revealed that Emir Sanusi participated in the 2025 Access Bank Polo Tournament held over the weekend in Surrey, England. He was spotted at the event alongside prominent international figures, including England’s national football team manager, Thomas Tuchel.
Meanwhile, the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, was present at the state funeral held for the late former President in Daura on Tuesday morning.
A spokesperson for Bayero, Abubakar Naisa, confirmed his attendance, noting that he was accompanied by other prominent traditional leaders from neighboring states.
“Yes, His Highness Aminu Ado Bayero left Kano this (Tuesday) morning for Daura to pay his last respects,” Naisa said. “He is attending the burial alongside the Emirs of Kazaure and Dutse.”
The development comes amid an ongoing leadership dispute within the Kano Emirate Council. Emir Sanusi II, who previously ruled from 2014 until his controversial dethronement in March 2020 by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, was reinstated as the sole Emir of a unified Kano Emirate by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in May 2024.
Governor Yusuf repealed the 2019 Emirate Council Law, which had fragmented Kano into five separate emirates. The law's reversal effectively dissolved the newly created emirates and reinstated Sanusi II.
However, Ado Bayero, who was installed as Emir in 2020 and occupied the main palace, refused to vacate, opting instead to pursue a legal resolution to reclaim his position—thereby intensifying the emirate's succession conflict.
