Kano Assembly’s Move To Merge Five Emirate Councils, Triggers Rumours Of Sanusi’s Return As Emir

By Ayodele Oni

In conformity with a pledge by the present administration in Kano State to review  some policies and actions of the immediate past administration led by Umar Ganduje, the State House of Assembly is set to review some laws associated with Kano Emirate Council.

The Assembly, during plenary on Tuesday, presided by the Speaker, Jibril  Falgore, agreed to recall the Kano State Emirate Council law 2019 and Kano State Emirate amendment law 2023 for amendment.

This followed a motion for urgent and public importance moved by the Majority Leader of the Assembly and also a member representing Dala Constituency, Lawan Hussaini.

The Majority Leader sought the approval of the Lawmakers to call the laws for amendment, and was seconded by member representing Dawakin Kudu Constituency Shu’aibu Rabi’u.

This law was first amended in 2019 amidst tension between the then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and deposed Emir Muhammadu Sanusi.

The amendment led to the fragmentation of the Emirate into five distinct Emirates, namely Rano, Karaye, Gaya, and Bichi, with the appointment of First Class Emirs to head these newly established Regions.

This reorganization ultimately resulted in the deposition of Emir Sanusi.

The recent electoral victory of Governor Abba Yusuf, who campaigned on the promise to restore the traditional  Emirate system, has revived rumour on efforts to reinstate Emir Sanusi.

One month before Governor Yusuf took office, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), the ruling party in Kano, indicated that the issue of the Emirates would be revisited.

During a public statement, Kwankwaso emphasized the party’s commitment to reviewing the changes made to the emirate structure:

“We campaigned and we are well-known in Nigeria, especially in  Kano. What we showed the people is by God’s grace all the good projects we started when we were in government. This governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf and his team will pick up from where we left off.”

Kwankwaso further noted the complexities of the situation, acknowledging that the division of the emirates would also be subject to review.

“Those who God made leaders will now decide on the next step and decision to take. They will review it and determine what is the right thing to be done.

“Apart from the issue of changing the emir, the emirates have now been divided into five. All of that will be reviewed too.”

He expressed confidence that Governor Yusuf would address these challenges effectively:

“We are confident God will give the Governor the wisdom to come and resolve the challenges planted in  the state so that everyone will live peacefully in the State.”