The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated a move to revise the law governing the deposition and appointment of emirs in the state. This development comes after former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s controversial removal of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2020. The revision motion was presented by Majority Leader Hussien Dala, representing the Dala constituency, during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Ganduje’s administration had previously divided the Kano emirate into five, leading to demands for Sanusi’s reinstatement and the dissolution of the newly established Emirates of Bichi, Gaya, Rano, and Karaye. However, some factions oppose the dissolution of these new emirates.
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the ruling New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano, had hinted at reassessing the emirate issue before Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf took office. Kwankwaso expressed confidence in the governor’s ability to resolve the challenges in Kano state, inherited from the previous administration. He stated, “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 added, “We, as elders in the movement, will continue to advise them to do things that are proper. We tried not to talk about whether the Emir would be removed or not, but now you see, the opportunity is there. 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.”
The proposed amendment aims to address the controversies surrounding Sanusi’s removal and the division of the emirate. The Kano Assembly’s decision marks a significant step towards potentially reinstating Sanusi and reevaluating the emirate’s structure. However, the process faces opposition from factions supporting the new emirates, ensuring a complex and contentious debate ahead.
The revision of the law is seen as a move towards resolving the lingering issues in Kano state, particularly the emirate crisis. The outcome of this development remains to be seen, as various interests and factions navigate the complex political landscape of Kano state.