Emir of Kano Lamido Sanusi received his staff of office and other royal symbols yesterday but remained at the Government House even though tradition required him to relocate to the palace by the third day since his appointment.

Royal items handed to him include the twin spears (Tagwayen Masu), a pair of ostrich-feathered shoes, the royal hat of Dabo (Malafar Dabo), a short knife, a sword and the official royal robe of the late Emir Ado Bayero.

Sanusi received the symbols at the President Nasser House, an apartment within the Kano Government House complex, where he had been residing since his appointment on Sunday.

The emir also received many visitors yesterday, including Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, his Edo counterpart Adams Oshiomhole, business mogul Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Islamic scholar Sheik Dahiru Bauchi.

There was no official announcement on why Sanusi failed to move to the palace as expected, but Daily Trust learnt that the unusual presence of security men around the palace entrances might have been the reason.

Sanusi’s appointment apparently angered the federal authorities, who have control over the police and other security agencies.

On Sunday, soon after the new emir was announced, the military barred private and chartered jets from the Kano airport, curtailing movement of dignitaries heading to the city to congratulate Sanusi.

On Monday, heavily armed policemen were stationed around the palace, and it was learnt that they blocked vehicular movement into and out of the palace yesterday.

Based on tradition, Sanusi was expected to be driven from the Government House yesterday to the Emir’s house in Nassarawa, from where he would move to the Emir’s palace, to be received by custodians of palace tradition.

Palace and government sources told Daily Trust that arrangements had been made to receive the new Emir at the palace. A new gate through which he would enter had been marked, while the convoy to ferry him from the Government House had also been arranged.

But the plans were thwarted because of uncertainty over the unusual deployment of around 100 policemen in 15 vehicles around the palace, sources said.

“The Emir is expected to be chauffeur-driven from the Government House to the Emir’s Palace amidst traditional fanfares. But contrary to what people expected, instead of the colourful arrangement of horses and well-wishers adorned in colourful traditional regalia, the Emir’s Palace was surrounded by a very large number of armed policemen,” a palace source said.

“As you can see no fewer than 15 police vehicles and more than 100 policemen have been deployed to the palace.”

An official said Sanusi’s relocation was aborted because “the emir will not come to the palace when the vehicle to convey him has not been given the go-ahead to do so.”

“If no vehicle will be allowed in or out of the palace, how do you expect the Emir to be received here? It is clear that the emir will not come here on foot, it is against the tradition. We are told to wait pending further instructions from our leaders,” he added.

Sources said in spite of the cordon around the palace, some of the items required for the adornment of the new emir were smuggled out to the Government House by loyal palace aides.

But the state police command said no orders were issued to bar anyone from gaining entry into the palace. Police Commissioner Adenerele Shinaba said: “It was just a routine security activity, nothing like receiving directives from above. We can’t stop people entering their houses.”

•Adapted from a Daily Trust report. Photo shows Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi receiving the staff of office and other royal symbols . . . yesterday in the Kano State Government House.

Update news