memorial had in the past two years been reduced to a sober gathering with prayers offered for the repose of his soul. In the earlier years after his demise, it used to be an elaborate ceremony.
This could have accounted for the reason why the Abacha family did not make objection over the ‘drowning’ of the traditional installation of Sanusi.
However, security was tight in Kano metropolis on the day; both regular and mobile policemen were at strategic points on all major roads.
The Joint Security Task Force, which has been in place since the Jan 20 bombings and gun attacks by the Boko Haram sect in Kano, also intensified their patrols.
Armoured Personnel Carriers and military helicopters hovered on the ancient city to stem any breakdown of law and order.
The main access roads leading to the Emir’s Palace were barricaded while stern -looking operatives manned entry and exit points.
A keen observer of both the Abacha and Sanusi families told SATURDAY PUNCH under conditions of anonymity that the decision to hold the installation ceremony to coincide with the memorial of Abacha may have been taken to settle scores with the late general.
He recalled that Abacha had once ordered the arrest and detention of Sanusi over controversy of sighting of the moon during a certain Sallah celebration in which Sanusi was key figure of the ‘reformers,’ which opposed the status quo.
“You see, what we have seen today is a show of power and revenge. I am sure it was not sheer coincidence that the CBN governor’s turbaning is happening today, which is late Gen. Abacha’s remembrance.
“He (CBN gov) may have chosen this day so as to divert those personalities and well-wishers who may have wished to visit the Abacha family for his memorial,” he stated.
During the turbaning, Emir of Kano, said the chieftaincy title is legendary was bestowed on Sanusi and for his immense contributions to the economic development of the nation
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