He was disgraced out of office a few months ago but today, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, is the new Emir of Kano, one of the most powerful traditional rulers in the country.
The Emir of Kano is revered, respected and even presidents bow to him; this is exactly the lot of the 14th Emir of Kano, as even his albatross, President Goodluck Jonathan will have to pay him homage.
But what many do not know is that Alhaji Sanusi had been carefully scheming for the position over five years ago, knowing that one day, the frail and sick former Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero, would soon join his ancestor.
Coupled with this was the great influence exerted on the king makers by the All Progressive Congress, (APC), led government in the state by Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
There were clear indications that the king makers had favoured the first son of the late Emir, Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero, who is said to be eminently qualified but Governor Kwankwaso had his debts to pay to Lamido Sanusi who is his greatest benefactor.
Sources in Kano confirmed to pulse.ng that Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso and the All Progressive Congress, (APC), needed to make intervention in the choice to spite the Federal Government led by Goodluck Jonathan in what has remained an emerging cold war between the two personalities and political parties.
Those that have been following the schemes of Sanusi quickly pointed out to the way he was doling out hundreds of millions of naira to the state while he held sway at the CBN.
They further pointed out that while at the CBN, Sanusi was solely responsible for about 85% of the APC budget, all in a bid to endear himself to the top echelons at the party.
He is also reported to have doled out millions of naira to the Kano king makers on a regular basis even when Alhaji Bayero was still alive and that when the selection process was on their plate, the king makers could not give the respected throne to another person when their pay master was also interested.
The king makers reportedly held a meeting inside the palace, before leaving in a convoy for a meeting with the governor where he reportedly told them that he and other stakeholders in the state wanted Sanusi and no one else.
The issue was ironed out, money exchanged hands and Sanusi was announced as the new Emir of Kano.
The bottom line is that Sanusi Lamido Sanusi had planned and schemed several years ahead to be the Emir of Kano, long before Ado Bayero died.