By Bashir Adefaka
The DEFENDER had reported HRH Sanusi II as “Fallen in Kano, risen in Kaduna” after two consecutive appointments of board chairmanship and university chancellorship were announced by the Kaduna State indicating that all glory was not lost for the self contented, highly religious, easy going monarch.
Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has revealed the destinated of the dethroned Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhamadu Sanusi II, from his exiled location in Awe, Nasarawa State as Abuja.
The governor however have Abuja as merely a transit point from where the for Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria would head to Lagos same day.
The DEFENDER reports that Governor El-Rufai had earlier on Friday before Jumat service visited Sarki Sanusi in Awe, Nasarawa State, as a mark of solidarity.
A statement credited to the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, further confirmed the visit.
According to the statement, El-Rufai, who drove from Abuja to Awe town, “met Sanusi in high spirits, demonstrating his usual calm, poise, and regal-bearing” despite his removal earlier in the week precisely Monday March 9, 2020.
“His Highness seems to have taken all that happened in his stride but reiterated his commitment to enforcing his fundamental human rights,” the statement added.
Cheers as Sarki Sanusi II departed Awe, Nasarawa State on Friday March 9, 2020.
It said that El-Rufai arrived Awe shortly after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja granted an interim order releasing Sanusi from detention.
The statement said Sanusi and El-Rufai attended Friday prayers together in Awe, where the former Emir led the Jumma’at prayers, adding that “hundreds of well-wishers lined up the road of Awe to hail His Highness on his way to the Mosque and back to his residence.”
The statement further said, “The duo rode in Governor El Rufai’s car to Abuja, from where Sanusi II would proceed to Lagos.”
Before departing Awe, the Kaduna State Governor, El-Rufai, had disclosed to journalists that the ruling by Federal High court asking the security agencies to set the former Emir free earlier in the day means he can now go to anywhere.
But the governor, who left Awe, in company of Sanusi for Abuja on Friday afternoon said the former monarch is only interested in going to Lagos for now.
He said, “As you know the federal high court in Abuja today declared his detention illegal and unconstitutional and his banishment also in violation of the constitution, so he is free,” El-Rufai said.
“He can live anywhere he wants including Kano city, if he wants. But we are on our way to Abuja. It is quite likely that the emir proceeds to Lagos which was his preferred destination from day one.
“From the day he was informed of his deposition, it was his wish to go to Lagos because part of his family is now in Lagos. And by the grace of God we’re on our way to Lagos now.”
HRH Sanusi II, right, and Governor El-Rufai leaving Awe on Friday March 13, 2020.
Sanusi spent his early life in Lagos as student of King’s College.
The DEFENDER had reported HRH Sanusi II as “Fallen in Kano, risen in Kaduna” after two consecutive appointments of board chairmanship and university chancellorship were announced by the Kaduna State indicating that all glory was not lost for the self contented, highly religious, easy going monarch.
The emotion-laden departure of Sarki Sanusi II from Kano via Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Monday March 9, 2020.
