In a watershed moment for Kano State, the House of Assembly has unanimously passed a bill dissolving all five emirate councils established under the tenure of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
The decision, made during a heated plenary session on Thursday, signals a seismic shift in the state’s governance and cultural landscape.
Deputy Speaker Alhaji Muhammad Bello Butu Butu articulated the driving force behind the dissolution, emphasizing the need to restore Kano’s historical prominence.
He stated, “The division of Kano Emirate into five reduced the capacity and dignity of the state at the national level.”
This sentiment resonated throughout the assembly, with members echoing the call to revive Kano’s lost glory.
Majority Leader Alhaji Lawan Hussaini Dala underscored the cultural significance of reverting to a single emirate council. “The emirate council served as a custodian of our culture, which was distorted by the creation of additional emirates,” Dala remarked.
The passage of this bill aims to rekindle the traditional prestige and unity of the Kano Emirate, aligning with the aspirations of the people.
In a press briefing following the session, Dala clarified that the amended law abolishes all five emirate councils, with oversight now entrusted to the commissioner for local governments.
Additionally, the assembly sanctioned the creation of a new second-class emirate council, ushering in a fresh chapter for Kano’s traditional institutions.
The saga surrounding the deposition of Sanusi II, the 14th Emir of Kano, has been fraught with political intrigue and controversy.
Initially appointed amidst acclaim in 2014, Sanusi’s tenure was marred by clashes with the Ganduje administration. The rift reached a crescendo with his removal in 2020, purportedly to “safeguard the sanctity, culture, tradition, religion, and prestige of the Kano emirate.”
However, supporters of Sanusi believe his ousting was politically motivated, stemming from his vocal opposition to Ganduje’s re-election bid in 2019.
Ganduje’s subsequent decision to divide the Kano Emirate into five further escalated tensions, aiming to dilute Sanusi’s influence.
The recent parliamentary maneuver to amend the law signifies a potential turning point in Sanusi’s fate.
Majority Leader Dala emphasized the need for fairness and justice in governing traditional institutions, echoing sentiments expressed lol by Jibril Isma’il Falgore, who pledged transparency throughout the amendment process.
Former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso’s pledge to revisit Sanusi’s deposition adds further momentum to the movement for reinstatement. With the parliamentary balance shifting in favor of the opposition, the stage is set for Sanusi’s potential return to the throne.
If signed into law, this legislative milestone holds the promise of restoring Sanusi II to his rightful place as the Emir of Kano, heralding a new era of stability and unity for the historic emirate.