Death of Kano Kingmaker Abbas Sanusi Bridges Gap Between NNPP, APC Members

The death of Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, the 91-year-old Galadiman Kano and long-standing senior councillor of the Kano Emirate, has unexpectedly led to a moment of unity between the warring factions of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State. Abbas Sanusi passed away late Tuesday night following a prolonged illness, marking the end of an era of more than six decades of service to the Emirate.

The influential kingmaker, who was a crucial figure in Kano’s traditional leadership, was the uncle of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the father of Prince Abdullahi Abbas, the current chairman of the APC in Kano. His death has brought a temporary halt to the bitter political rivalry between the two factions vying for control of the Emirate’s throne.

The Kano Emirate has been embroiled in a conflict over its leadership, with two claimants—Emir Aminu Ado Bayero and Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II—fighting for dominance. Abbas Sanusi, as the Galadiman Kano, maintained a neutral stance throughout the turmoil, refusing to align with either faction despite the tensions between the political and royal houses.

The NNPP-led state government, under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, had previously overturned the actions of the former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, which created additional Emirates in Kano. These actions were seen as a move to bolster the position of Emir Sanusi II, who is backed by the state government. In contrast, Emir Bayero has found support from the APC, led by Abdullahi Abbas, the son of the late kingmaker and the current national chairman of the APC, Former Governor Ganduje.

Abbas Sanusi’s funeral, held at the Kano Emir’s Palace, was a significant occasion that saw a gathering of political elites from both camps. The Chief Imam of Kano, Sheikh Prof. Sani Zahraddeen, led the prayer, and the event attracted thousands from both inside and outside the state. The NNPP delegation was led by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, along with other party officials, while the APC was represented by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Bara’u Jibril, and the party’s state chairman, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, who was the chief mourner.

Notably, the funeral service highlighted the rare unity between the two rival groups, with both NNPP and APC members setting aside their political differences to honor the late kingmaker. Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, who has remained a central figure in the NNPP, attended the prayers, while his rival, Emir Bayero, who resides at the mini-palace in Nasarawa, could not attend due to security concerns.

The political rivalry between the NNPP and APC in Kano has been fierce, particularly following the contentious 2019 gubernatorial election, where Governor Ganduje narrowly defeated Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s protege, Abba Kabir Yusuf, who contested under the PDP banner before eventually forming the NNPP. The political divide has since remained, but Abbas Sanusi’s death has, for the moment, bridged the gap between the two factions, showcasing a rare display of unity at a time of sorrow.

The future of Kano’s traditional leadership remains uncertain, but the death of Abbas Sanusi has momentarily united the state’s political adversaries, who for a brief moment, set aside their differences to mourn the loss of one of Kano’s most prominent figures.