Kano, a city entrenched in historical significance and cultural tradition, has once again found itself at the center of a political upheaval as the State House of Assembly dissolves newly established emirates.
The decision, made during Thursday’s plenary session, marks a significant chapter in Kano’s long and turbulent history of traditional rule.
The repeal of the law establishing additional emirates effectively dissolves all four newly created emirate councils in the state, undoing a recent initiative that had sought to expand the traditional leadership structure.
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This recent action by the Kano State House of Assembly is not an isolated event but rather a continuation of a centuries-old saga of depositions and removals that have characterized the governance of the Emirs in Kano.
According to a detailed account by historian and author Malam Adnan Bawa Bello, the history of Kano is punctuated by the frequent removals of its traditional rulers, the Emirs, dating back to ancient times.
Bello’s research reveals a pattern of swift and sometimes erratic changes in leadership, with some Emirs ruling for mere days before being ousted.
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Bello’s historical narrative recounts instances such as the deposition of Guguwa Dan Gijimasu in 1247–1290, who holds the dubious honor of being the first recorded Sarki (Emir) to be removed from his throne.
Similarly, Dakauta Dan Abdullahi Baja, who ruled for just one day in 1452, exemplifies the volatility of Kano’s traditional leadership.
Over the centuries, this pattern persisted, with emirs like Atuma Dan Dakauta and Yakubu Dan Kisoke facing similar fates of brief reigns followed by sudden depositions.
Even the colonial era brought its own wave of upheavals, with British authorities deposing Sarkin Kano Alu in 1903.
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More recently, the deposition of Sarkin Kano Sanusi I in 1963 and, most notably, the removal of Sarkin Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi) in 2020 underscore the ongoing struggle for stability and continuity in Kano’s traditional governance.
The decision by the Kano State House of Assembly to repeal the law establishing additional emirates represents another chapter in this saga. By abolishing the newly created emirates and setting aside all offices established under the repealed law, the Assembly seeks to restore a sense of unity and coherence to Kano’s traditional leadership structure.
As Kano navigates this latest development in its storied history, the echoes of its past depositions and removals serve as a reminder of the enduring complexities of governance in one of Nigeria’s oldest and most culturally rich cities.
By Saheed Abiola
Culled from PUNCH
