Appointment of Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi Mika’ilu Sami as the New Emir of Zuru Applauded by All and Sundry

 ” this is a sad day for the entire nation,this is sad day for the people of Kebbi State and indeed for the entire Nigerians. I am here on behalf of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to convey the condolences of the President to the Kebbi State Government,the entire Northern Nigeria and the people of Zuru Emirate on the demise of a man who spent all his entire life to serve entire nation to ensure peace and unity.”

The sudden death of late Emir of Zuru, major General Muhammad Sani Sami Gomo II (rtd) had left a big vacuum in Kebbi state, not that he was the only first class Emir in the entire Northern region of Nigeria, but due to his rich experience in the affairs of the nation. He was one of the finest soldiers produced by Zuru Emirate. Gomo II, was also a one time Military Administrator of Bauchi state before he was appointed as the Emir of Zuru about 30 years ago. However,his death brought eminent personalities across Nigeria to his hometown zuru in Kebbi State, including the Vice -President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sunusi Lamido Sanusi among others.

Gomo II’s death did not only stir national and international commiserations,it attracted Presidency delegates, traditional rulers across the country, Religious leaders as well as the daughter of the President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu who stormed Zuru town and paid their last respect to the people’s General. The Emir died in London on Saturday August 16 ,2025 after a brief illness at the age of 81, leaving behind four wives and seven children. The airstrip in Zuru town became air force one, turning to tourism Center where not less than six aircrafts landed, accompanying the remains of the Late Emir brought to the ancient town for the Islamic burial. People of Zuru had converged outside the airstrip to glance at the remains of their beloved Emir, while all the markets in Zuru town were closed.

“the appointment of Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi Mika’ilu Sami as the new Emir of Zuru has sent a wave of excitement and relief throughout the emirate. Given the complex history of selection of Emirs in Northern Nigeria, where intrigue and external influence often play a significant role, many had expected the process in Zuru to be contentious. However, Governor Nasir Idris’s commitment to transparency and fairness has yielded a different outcome, one that absolutely relies, and reflects the will of the people. With over 30 eminently qualified princes vying for the throne, the stakes were naturally and expectedly high. Yet, from the outset, one candidate stood out – Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi Mika’ilu Sami. His widespread popularity among the people of Zuru Emirate and beyond was not accidental. His pro-people disposition, humility and open-door policy had endeared him to many. As the son of Mika’ilu Sami, the senior brother of the late Emir Sani Sami of same parents, he possessed both the royal lineage, good antecedents, popularity and trust of the people as well as the acumen driven by deep religious beliefs which gave him the edge”

The major streets and roads linking to the Mosque were full with crowd . The Chief Imam of Zuru town Central Mosque, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad Tanko led the funeral prayer for the late Emir immediately after the two rakaat Jumuah prayer. The Vice -President, Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Kano, Emir of Yauri, Emir of Gummi, Emir of Anka, as well as Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris and Lieutenant General Dambazau (rtd) were also at the private house, full of crowd, where the late Emir was buried. While condoling the family at the late Emir’s personal residence,Vice- President, Senator Kashim Shettima described the death of the former Military Administrator of Bauchi state as a great loss to the entire Nigeria. In his short speech, Shettima said: ” this is a sad day for the entire nation,this is sad day for the people of Kebbi State and indeed for the entire Nigerians. I am here on behalf of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to convey the condolences of the President to the Kebbi State Government,the entire Northern Nigeria and the people of Zuru Emirate on the demise of a man who spent all his entire life to serve entire nation to ensure peace and unity.”

The town however, received fresh air as the State Government announced the successor of Gomo II. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Umar Garba Dustimari announced the appointment of Alhaji Sanusi Mika’ilu Gomo III as the next Emir after seven kingmakers out of nine voted in favour of him which generated alot of accolade from the Zuru Emirate as well as the state in general. The new Emir, it was gathered is the son of former Emir, Gomo I who died before the ascendant of the immediate past Emir. At the entrance of Zuru town,all the commercial motorcyclists and residents troop out enmass to welcome the State Government team, led by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Umar Garba Dustimari who arrived the town with the appointment letter. While reacting to the appointment of the new Emir, the Kebbi state chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) commended Kebbi state Governor ,Dr Nasir Idris for the appointment of Alhaji Sanusi Mika’ilu as the new Emir of Zuru who retired as a Nurse.

Chairman of the association in the state, Comrade Kelani Abdulwaliyu said that they received the news of his appointment with joy. According to him, “we need to celebrate him because he is one of us, he was a hard working and humble nurse before he retired. So we were not surprised that he was appointed as the new Emir of Zuru giving his humility,love for his people as he is domiciled in ancient Zuru town attending to his people.”
The Association also commended Governor Idris for following the choice of the masses, which was demonstrated during the election process by king Makers of Zuru emirate where he won with a wide margin of seven votes out of nine votes casted. He added that, “The decision of the governor to appoint him as the new Emir following his victory at the king Makers election indicated that the Governor was with the masses of Zuru, who have demonstrated their raw love to the new Emir of Zuru. We particularly thank the Governor for standing with the will of Allah and the people. We are deeply grateful to him.” In his reaction, Kebbi State Commissioner for information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed BK, described the appointment of the new Emir as a round peg in the round hole.

According to him,”the appointment of Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi Mika’ilu Sami as the new Emir of Zuru has sent a wave of excitement and relief throughout the emirate. Given the complex history of selection of Emirs in Northern Nigeria, where intrigue and external influence often play a significant role, many had expected the process in Zuru to be contentious. However, Governor Nasir Idris’s commitment to transparency and fairness has yielded a different outcome, one that absolutely relies, and reflects the will of the people. With over 30 eminently qualified princes vying for the throne, the stakes were naturally and expectedly high. Yet, from the outset, one candidate stood out – Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi Mika’ilu Sami. His widespread popularity among the people of Zuru Emirate and beyond was not accidental. His pro-people disposition, humility and open-door policy had endeared him to many. As the son of Mika’ilu Sami, the senior brother of the late Emir Sani Sami of same parents, he possessed both the royal lineage, good antecedents, popularity and trust of the people as well as the acumen driven by deep religious beliefs which gave him the edge.”

He added that, “the kingmakers, sensing the governor’s disposition for justice and the knowing the pulse of the ordinary people, ultimately presented the name of the people’s choice – Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi Mika’ilu Sami. The governor’s swift ratification of this decision was met with widespread approval, marking a significant moment in the history of Zuru Emirate.” A traditional title holder in Zuru Emirate, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris Zuru, the Sadaukin Zuru, and Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, explained that the governor’s swift approval, shortly after the submission of the Emir-ship election committee recommendation was conveyed to the new Emir in an appointment letter, delivered by the Secretary to the state Government, Alhaji Yakubu Bala Tafida at the Emir’s palace in Zuru was a testament that Governor always stand by the people choices.

The new Emir, Alhaji Sanusi Mika’ilu Sami, Sami Gomo III, while speaking briefly after his appointment letter was handed to him, praised Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State for upholding the choice of the people and describing him as a “God-sent messiah” to the people of Zuru Emirate. The Emir expressed his gratitude to the Governor on his fairness, justice, and transparency adopted in administering the state while receiving traditional rulers and religious leaders on congratulatory visit to the palace. As an individual, he said, the Governor Idris upheld the decision of the kingmakers and approved the Emir’s appointment as the 12th Emir of Zuru. Sanusi noted that the Governor personally coordinated the medical treatment of the late Emir Muhammadu Sani Sami Gomo II at a London hospital and how he ensured a befitting burial for him would not be forgotten in a hurry in the history of Zuru Emirate.

By Ola Lawal, Birnin Kebbi