Kano State House of Assembly has scrapped the law that established five Emirates, which has resulted in the stripping of all Emirs of their titles, except for the Emir of Kano, who remains in place.
As stated by Majority Leader Lawal Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa, the bill has successfully nullified the establishment of the five new Emirates, reverting Kano to its traditional single Emir system, which has been the norm since the era of Shehu Usman Dan Fodio’s Islamic reform.
“This bill in its entirety has abrogated the establishment of the five new Emirates in the state and reverted to the former status of a single Emir in Kano which we inherited since the Jihad of Shehu Usman Dan Fodio,” said Majority Leader Lawal Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa after the repeal was passed on Thursday as quoted by Daily Trust.
The 2019 fragmentation of the venerable Kano Emirate into five distinct domains by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje remains a highly contentious issue, with critics accusing him of sowing ethnic discord throughout the state. This bold move followed a prolonged power struggle that ultimately led to the removal of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II from his throne.
“The abolished Emirates did nothing but create division among the indigenes of Kano. The unity which was visible thousands of years in Kano was divided. We are now reverting back to our old historical background; one Kano, one people, one Emir,” Yan Gurasa stated.
The newly enacted repeal law grants the governor the discretion to call upon the respected kingmakers to nominate a successor to the central Emir of Kano, ushering in a new era of leadership. Meanwhile, Yan Gurasa has confirmed that all Emir positions are presently vacant, awaiting new appointments.
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“This means that the remaining five Emirs are no longer in existence. There is no Emir now in Kano. It is now the decision of the governor to appoint a new Emir,” he said.
The lawmaker called for cooperation from Kano residents, stating, “We expect cooperation from the people of Kano. This is a welcome development. Kano is now united. That is what we are hoping the people of Kano would cooperate with. We need their maximum cooperation and prayer towards the peace and development of our great state.”
Gurasa disclosed to journalists that the bill has been presented to the governor for endorsement, creating a leadership void in all five Emirates in Kano – Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano, and Karaye – with no Emir currently in office. The revised legislation enables the governor to convene the traditional kingmakers to choose a new ruler.
His words: “the bill has been sent to the governor for assent, now there is no longer an active Emir in Kano in all the five Emirates; Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye. The law now provides the governor to call on the traditional kingmakers to choose a new king.”