Kano is now an Emir-free state until further notice as the state house of assembly passed the Kano Emirates Council Law (Repeal Bill) 2024 on Thursday.
The bill, according to the 10th Assembly, abolished the establishment of five new emirates in the state.
The bill, which scaled through the second and third readings on Thursday, nullified the creation of the Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye emirates alongside the historic Kano Emirate.
The bill, titled the Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment No. 2) Law, 2024, was sponsored by Lawan Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa, the Majority Leader and representative of the Dala Constituency.
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Following the passage of the bill, all offices created under the repealed law have been dissolved, and district heads appointed or elevated under the previous legislation are to revert to their former positions.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the plenary, Hon. Gurasa said that by virtue of the bill, if assented to by the governor, Kano will revert back to the former status of a single emirate council.
“The bill has abolished the newly created emirates in Kano and reverts back to the former status of one single emir in Kano, which we inherited since the Jihad of Usman Dan Fodio,” he said.
“This means there is no existence of any emir in Kano, no emir of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, Karaye, or Kano.
“It is now the decision of the governor; the bill has empowered him (the governor) to invite all kingmakers in Kano to nominate a new king for him.
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“So we are now waiting for the governor to assent the bill, and we are also waiting for the kingmakers to nominate a new king for him. He explained.
The lawmaker also hinted at the possibility of creating second-class emirs in Kano State. “And there is a plan to create additional second-class Emirs after this.”
The house majority leader, who noted that the creation of the additional four emirates had done nothing but cause division among the people of Kano, sought the support of the Kano people to embrace the new development.
“The five emirates have done nothing except create division among the people of Kano; the unity that existed for thousands of years in Kano was divided.
“Kano is one, but some portions were now created into sub-divisions called the emirates councils, so we are now reverting to our old historical background: one Kano, one people, one Emir.
“We expect cooperation from Kano people; this is a welcome development; the Kano is now united; that is why we are hoping that the people of Kano will cooperate; we need their maximum cooperation and prayers towards the peace and development of our great state.” He added.
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It could be recalled that the original law, enacted under former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on December 5, 2019, was amended twice: first on October 14, 2020, and again on April 11, 2023. Section 3(1) of the law had established the five distinct emirates, distributing jurisdiction over the 44 local government areas in the state.
Following the deposition of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi on March 9, 2020, the law was amended to designate the Emir of Kano as the chairman of the council.
Section 12 of the law allowed the governor to grade emir offices as first, second, or third class with the assembly’s approval.