By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Kano State House of Assembly has commenced the process of amending the Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Law amidst call for the return of the deposed 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi.
The House resolved to amend the law after the Majority Leader and member representing Dala constituency, Hussien Dala, moved the motion during plenary on Tuesday, 21 May, 2024.
It was gathered that the law was first amended in 2019 during the rift between then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the deposed Emir.
The first amendment had broken the Kano Emirate into five different Emirates with the creation of Rano, Karaye, Gaya and Bichi Emirates, and the appointment of First Class Emirs for the new Emirates, eventually culminating in the deposition of then Emir of Kano.
But following the electoral victory of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who had campaigned with the restoration of the old Kano Emirate system, several groups renew the call for the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi.
One month before Governor Yusuf assumed office, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), the ruling party in Kano, had said issue of the Emirates would be reviewed.
“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 had said.
“We as elders in the movement will continue to advice 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 the right thing to do.
“Apart from the issue of changing the Emir, the Emirates have now been divided into five. All of that will be reviewed too. When a leader comes into power whether in a country, state or local government area, he inherits things that are good and things that are difficult and challenging.
“We are confident God will give the Governor the wisdom to come and resolve the challenges planted in Kano state so that everyone will leave peacefully in Kano state.”
