A close associate of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, Muhammadu Dallatu, told The PUNCH the reason behind the monarch’s absence at the funeral of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday.

According to Dallatu, the emir was away in the United Kingdom on an official assignment and is expected to return to Nigeria on Wednesday (today).

He stated, ‘‘The Emir will not attend. He’s not even in the country. He travelled to London for an official engagement and is expected back on Wednesday.”

Additional investigations by The PUNCH revealed that on Saturday, Emir Sanusi took part in the 2025 Access Bank Polo Tournament held in Surrey, England, where he was seen alongside prominent global figures, including England’s national football team manager, Thomas Tuchel.

In contrast, the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, attended the state funeral of the late former President in Daura on Tuesday morning.

Bayero’s spokesperson, Abubakar Naisa, confirmed the development, saying the Emir was accompanied by traditional rulers from Jigawa State.

“Yes, His Highness Aminu Ado Bayero left Kano this (Tuesday) morning for Daura to pay his last respects,” Kofar Naisa said. “He is attending the burial alongside the Emirs of Kazaure and Dutse.”

The Kano Emirate has been caught in a leadership tussle following the dethronement of Muhammadu Sanusi II, who served as Emir from 2014 until March 2020 under the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

Ganduje had also fragmented the Kano Emirate into five separate emirates, appointing Sanusi’s nephew, Ado Bayero, as one of the emirs. Bayero moved into the main palace in March 2020.

However, in May 2024, Governor Abba Yusuf repealed the 2019 Emirate Council Law, dissolved the newly created emirates, and reinstated Sanusi as the sole Emir of a unified Kano Emirate. Ado Bayero, however, declined to vacate the palace, insisting on a legal resolution to the matter. (The PUNCH)