The Kano State House of Assembly has passed Kano Emirates Council Law (repeal bill) 2024 after scaling 3rd reading paving the way for the deposed Emir, Sanusi Lamido to stage a comeback.
The law was repealed on Thursday.
Lamido was removed by then governor, Abdullahi Ganduje. He was installed by Ganduje’s political ally and then governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Ganduje was Kwankwaso’s deputy before becoming a governor.
The new law has abrogated the establishment of 5 new Emirates in the state which were Ganduje’s creations.
Consequently, all offices established under the repealed law have been set aside by the new bill.
In addition, all district heads elevated or appointed under the repealed law are to revert to their previous positions.
The Kano State Emirate Council (Amendment number 2) Law, 2024, was sponsored by the Majority Leader and member representing the Dala Constituency, Lawan Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa, Daily Trust reported.
The law created five new emirates and was first assented to by Ganduje, on December 5, 2019.
He assented to an amendment to the law on 14 October, 2020 and again signed another amendment on 11 April, 2023.
Section 3(1) of the law signed into law by Ganduje established five distinct emirates; Kano, Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye, with Kano and Karaye having eight local government areas of jurisdiction each.
Bichi and Gaya emirates share 9 local government areas of jurisdiction each, while Rano Emirate has over 10 local government areas out of the 44 local councils in the state.
When Emir Muhammadu Sanusi, who chaired the council, was deposed on March 9, 2020, the law was amended to read: “There shall be the chairman of the council who shall be the emir, Kano Emirate.”
The law in section 12 provides that the governor may grade the office of an emir first, second, or third class subject to the approval of the House of Assembly.
Sanusi’s return has long been rumoured following the victory of Kwankwaso’s anointed candidate, Abba Kabir Yusuf, in the 2023 governorship poll.