By Uzair Adam Imam

The Kano State House of Assembly has repealed the Kano State Emirate Councils Law, which had established five new emirates in Kano, Gaya, Karaye, Rano, and Bichi during the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The law’s repeal, following its third reading on Thursday, has elicited mixed reactions among Kano residents.

The abrogated law will require district heads who were elevated or appointed under it to revert to their previous positions.

When the law was initially established in 2019, there were fears that it might politicize the traditional emirate system.

Kano residents expressed their opinions on social media, with some viewing the repeal as a politically motivated move, while others saw it as a step towards restoring the integrity of the emirate council.

Critics of Ganduje’s administration argue that the creation of new emirates undermined the traditional system.

Every new government to bring with it new emir

Dr. Ibrahim Siraj, a political analyst and lecturer at Bayero University, Kano, criticized the development, warning that it could lead to every new government appointing a new emir, thereby politicizing the emirate system.

“An interesting precedent has been set here in Kano: every change of government will bring with it a new emir and an entirely different emirate system,” he said.

He lamented that this could lead to numerous living but non-serving emirs, breaking the tradition of lifelong service.

Abdulyassar Abdulhamid expressed a broader concern, stating, “My concern is not about the emir’s removal or the installation of a new one. But a theory I have been nourishing for some time is giving way to reality.

“The struggle, the loudmouth(ness), the so talked-about intellectualism is about an excessive desire to be on a throne. Nothing more,” he added.

Ado Garba noted that those who supported the previous government’s decision to create new emirates were now seeing the repercussions.

“But because the majority of us are not sincere, they refused to see reasons. Now, here we are. Ganduje will never be forgiven by the good people of Kano,” he said.

Atiku Mu’amun Bello highlighted the anomaly of having one person potentially serving as both the 14th and 16th Emir of Kano.

“So we will just call him ‘former emir’ when he eventually leaves or is dethroned,” he added.

History repeats itselfUman Garba, reflecting on the historical context, stated, “There is nothing new on earth. Just history repeats itself. Let us simply accept the fate and move on.”

Abdulmalik Shu’aibu emphasized the importance of the emirate councils and questioned the motives behind the repeal by Governor Yusuf and Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.

“If truly Governor Abba and Kwankwaso love Kano, they shouldn’t have underestimated the tremendous contribution by the emirate councils in the state,” he asserted.

Yusuf Umar Yaro described the repeal as political retaliation, arguing that it was not aimed at the development of the state or its people.

The repeal of the Kano State Emirate Councils Law has sparked significant debate, reflecting deep divisions over the role and politicization of traditional institutions in Kano.

ByAdmin

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