A surprising political moment unfolded in Kano on Tuesday as former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje publicly acknowledged Muhammad Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and Chairman of the Kano State Council of Emirs.

Ganduje’s statement came during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo, held at the Goveenment House, an event that attracted top political and traditional figures.

The former governor who dethroned Sanusi II 2018 while delivering his goodwill message, referred to Sanusi with his full royal title, a gesture that immediately drew attention from dignitaries present at the occasion.

The audience responded with loud applause when Ganduje greeted Sanusi and further acknowledged his position as head of the Kano Emirate Council, signaling approval of the unexpected recognition.

The development is particularly significant given the history between the two figures, following Sanusi’s removal from the throne in 2018 during Ganduje’s tenure as governor, a move that triggered widespread political and legal debate at the time.

However, the political landscape shifted after the emergence of Abba Kabir Yusuf, under whose administration Sanusi was reinstated as Emir of Kano, further deepening the symbolic importance of Tuesday’s acknowledgment.

Ganduje’s public reference to Sanusi as Emir reflects a notable softening of political tensions and may indicate a broader attempt at reconciliation within Kano’s elite political and traditional circles.

The moment is already being interpreted as a “twist of fate” in Kano politics, where past rivalries appear to be giving way to cautious gestures of respect and recognition among long-standing political actors.

Abbas Yushau Yusuf

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has presided over the swearing-in of Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo as the 13th Kano State Deputy Governor.

The swearing-in of Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo follows the resignation of Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo.

Murtala Sule Garo, a former Commissioner of Local Government during the administration of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, was confirmed by the Kano State House of Assembly.

With the swearing-in of Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, he has now become the 13th Deputy Governor of Kano State since its creation in 1967.

Those who became Deputy Governors were:

Late Alhaji Ibrahim Bibi Farouk from 1979 before his impeachment by the Kano State House of Assembly under the late Muhammad Abubakar Rimi administration.

Alhaji Abdu Dawakin Tofa also deputized for the remaining tenure of Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Rimi.

Professor Ahmad Tijjani Abdullahi from April 1983 to October 1983.

Alhaji Wada Abubakar Kiyawa under the brief administration of Alhaji Sabo Bakin Zuwo from October 1983 to December 1983.

When the military took over in 1983, all the military governors had no deputies except Colonel Idris Garba, who was deputized by Alhaji Abba Abdullahi when the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida wanted to transition the country to civilian administration.

Late Alhaji Ahmad Usman was the Deputy Governor to Alhaji Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya from 1992 to 1993.

Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje deputized for Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso between 1999 and 2003 and between 2011 and 2015.

Engineer Magaji Abdullahi was also the Deputy Governor of Kano State under the administration of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau between 2003 and 2007.

In 2007, Governor Ibrahim Shekarau dropped Engineer Magaji Abdullahi and picked Engineer Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo between 2007 and 2011.

Professor Hafizu Abubakar served between 2015 and 2018; following his resignation in 2018, he was succeeded by Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna.

Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo was also the Deputy Governor from 2023 until his recent resignation in April 2026.

NIGERIA TRACKER reports that as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf swore in Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo as Deputy Governor for the remainder of his term, Murtala Garo is now the 13th Deputy Governor of Kano State since its creation in 1967.

Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has ordered an immediate nationwide audit of arms and ammunition across all state commands as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and prevent misuse of operational assets.

This is coming after a viral video showed officers shooting a restrained and handcuffed man at close range after a suspicious package was found.

Following the outcry over the video, four Nigerian police officers, led by ASP Nuhu Usman, were dismissed from service, and their case files were transmitted to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

Speaking during a meeting with senior officers in Abuja on Tuesday, Disu mandated Commissioners of Police to conduct a comprehensive, transparent and properly documented stocktaking exercise, with detailed reports to be submitted to the Force Headquarters within a stipulated timeframe.

He said, “I hereby direct all Commissioners of Police to immediately undertake a comprehensive audit of arms and ammunition within their respective Commands. This exercise must be thorough, transparent, and properly documented, with detailed reports forwarded to the Force Headquarters within the stipulated timeframe.

“The objective is clear: to strengthen accountability, identify existing gaps, and provide an accurate assessment of our operational needs. Let me emphasize that this is not a routine administrative task, but a critical measure to enhance our readiness, prevent misuse, and ensure that all assets entrusted to the Force are properly accounted for and optimally deployed.”

Speaking on the extra-judicial killing, the IG described the incident as unlawful and a violation of professional standards.

“That act was wrong. It was unlawful. It violated the sanctity of human life and the professional standards of this Force,” he said.

He disclosed that the officer involved and members of his team had been dismissed, while the case file had been forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for criminal prosecution.

“This matter will not be swept aside. Accountability will be pursued to its full and logical conclusion,” he stated.

Disu also directed Commissioners of Police to convene regular town hall meetings with key stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth and women groups, and transport unions.

“These are not ceremonial events. Commissioners must sit with traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth organizations, listening to women’s groups, and transport unions, sharing information, and building genuine partnerships, ” he said.

As part of efforts to boost accessibility, the IGP ordered that Commissioners make their contact details available to community leaders within their states.

“When a community leader needs to reach their Commissioner of Police, that line must be open. That is what community policing looks like in practice,” he added.

Disu urged citizens to volunteer information to security agencies.

“If you see something, say something. We are listening, and we will act,” he said.

In a related development, Disu also announced the restructuring of the police anti-crime architecture with the creation of a new formation, the Violent Crime Response Unit, to replace the Special Weapons and Tactics units.

According to the IG, the VCRU represents a fundamental shift in tackling serious crimes, with officers undergoing specialised training in tactical operations, human rights compliance, intelligence analysis, and rules of engagement.

“Critically, civilian oversight has been built into the operational framework of the VCRU from the very beginning. These units will operate strictly on the basis of credible intelligence… and their operations will be subject to structured review,” he said.

He noted that Commissioners of Police would retain full command and accountability for the unit in their respective states and directed that the VCRU be formally launched with public visibility and stakeholder participation.