The absence of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II at the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday has been clarified by one of his close associates.
Speaking to The PUNCH, Muhammadu Dallatu revealed that the Emir of Kano was out of the country on official duties in the United KingdomWhy Emir Sanusi Missed Buhari’s Burial – Associate Explains
The absence of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II at the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday has been clarified by one of his close associates.
Speaking to The PUNCH, Muhammadu Dallatu revealed that the Emir of Kano was out of the country on official duties in the United Kingdom and is expected to return to Nigeria today (Wednesday).
“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,” Dallatu said.
Further findings by The PUNCH confirmed that the monarch participated in the 2025 Access Bank Polo Tournament on Saturday in Surrey, England.
He was seen at the event alongside several high-profile figures, including England’s national football manager, Thomas Tuchel.
In contrast, the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, was present at the state funeral in Daura.
According to his spokesperson, Abubakar Naisa, the Emir traveled from Kano on Tuesday morning to pay his final respects to the late president and was accompanied by traditional rulers from Jigawa State, including the Emirs of Kazaure and Dutse.
The Kano Emirate continues to face a heated leadership dispute following the dramatic dethronement of Sanusi II in 2020 under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
Ganduje had split the Kano Emirate into five separate emirates, appointing Ado Bayero—Sanusi’s nephew—as one of the emirs.
However, in May 2024, Governor Abba Yusuf repealed the law that established the new emirates, dissolved them, and reinstated Sanusi as the sole Emir of a unified Kano.
Ado Bayero has since refused to vacate the palace, maintaining his claim to the throne while the matter remains in court.
and is expected to return to Nigeria today (Wednesday).
“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,” Dallatu said.
Further findings by The PUNCH confirmed that the monarch participated in the 2025 Access Bank Polo Tournament on Saturday in Surrey, England.
He was seen at the event alongside several high-profile figures, including England’s national football manager, Thomas Tuchel.
In contrast, the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, was present at the state funeral in Daura.
According to his spokesperson, Abubakar Naisa, the Emir traveled from Kano on Tuesday morning to pay his final respects to the late president and was accompanied by traditional rulers from Jigawa State, including the Emirs of Kazaure and Dutse.
The Kano Emirate continues to face a heated leadership dispute following the dramatic dethronement of Sanusi II in 2020 under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
Ganduje had split the Kano Emirate into five separate emirates, appointing Ado Bayero—Sanusi’s nephew—as one of the emirs.
However, in May 2024, Governor Abba Yusuf repealed the law that established the new emirates, dissolved them, and reinstated Sanusi as the sole Emir of a unified Kano.
Ado Bayero has since refused to vacate the palace, maintaining his claim to the throne while the matter remains in court.