Sanusi was removed from the throne on Monday by Kano State Government.

The state accused Sanusi of the “Emir is in total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the governor and other lawful authorities” and said his removal was effected to “sanctity, culture, tradition, religion and prestige.”

But Kwankwaso, who installed Sanusi as the emir in 2014, said the former emir was removed to please Buhari.

“President Buhari is interfering in the affairs of Kano State,” Kwankwaso told BBC Hausa on Wednesday.

The former Kano governor said state officials told him the president ordered the Sanusi’s dethronement.

Aminu Ado Bayero has since been named as the new emir.

Sanusi is a fierce critic of the Nigerian Government, Kano State leadership and the northern establishment.

There were unconfirmed reports that he supported the opposition against Kano State Umaru Ganduje when he sought reelection in 2019.

After winning the reelection, Ganduje, who was the deputy governor to Kwankwaso, ordered the balkanisation of the Kano Emirate into four smaller units – The government said the vision was necessary to better administer the emirate.