Kano

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The Kano State House of Assembly has repealed the Kano State Emirate Councils Law, which had established five new emirates in Kano, Gaya, Karaye, Rano, and Bichi during the administration of former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

By Uzair Adam Imam

A Federal High Court in Kano has issued an order halting the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano.

The court’s decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by Alhaji Aminu Bappa Dan Agundi, also known as Sarkin Dawaki Babba, on Thursday.

Justice A.M Liman, the presiding judge, granted an interim injunction suspending the implementation of the repealed Kano Emirate law, which aimed to reinstate Sanusi II as the Emir.

The court ordered that the operation of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, 2024, be suspended, affecting all offices and institutions created under the provision of the Kano State Emirate Council Law, 2019.

The court also restrained the 5th to 8th respondents (not specified in the report) from enforcing, executing, or implementing the repealed law.

Additionally, the court ordered the maintenance and preservation of the status quo by all parties involved, pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiff’s originating motion.

The court also granted an order for an accelerated hearing on the matter.

This development means that Sanusi II’s reinstatement as Emir of Kano has been put on hold pending the court’s further decision.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has reappointed Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano, a position he was removed from in 2020.

The governor announced the appointment on Thursday at the Government House, shortly after signing the Kano Emirate Law as amended.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor, Speaker of the State Assembly, and other principal officers of the government.

With this development, Sanusi II has been officially reinstated as the Emir of Kano.

In a related development, Governor Yusuf has directed the five former emirs of Kano, Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye to vacate their palaces within 48 hours, starting from 5:00 pm on the day of the announcement.

They have also been ordered to hand over all properties in their possession to the Commissioner for Local Government/Deputy Governor.

This move is seen as a reversal of the decision made by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who had dethroned Sanusi II in 2020 following a personal rift.

More details to follow…

By Uzair Adam Imam  

The Kano state house of assembly has passed the Kano Emirates Council Law (Repeal Bill) 2024 after scaling its third reading.  

The law has abrogated the establishment of five new Emirates in the state. All offices established under the repealed law have been set aside by the new bill. 

Also, all district heads elevated or appointed under the repealed law are to revert to their previous positions. 

The Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment number 2) Law, 2024, was sponsored by the Majority Leader and member representing the Dala Constituency, Lawan Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa.  

The law, which created five new emirates, was first assented to by ex-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on December 5, 2019. 

A principal officer of the assembly, who did not want his name mentioned, said, “No Jupiter can stop the assembly from amending the law.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

Heavy security was present at the Kano House of Assembly on Wednesday as lawmakers commenced the amendment of the State Emirates Council law that created five Emirates.

The amendment, sponsored by the majority leader and member representing Dala constituency, Lawan Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa, scaled its first reading.

Armed security operatives from the police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) took over strategic places at the assembly complex, while journalists who came to cover the day’s proceedings were asked to identify themselves before they were allowed entry.

All roads leading to the assembly complex were barricaded.The Kano state emirates council law, 2019, which created five new Emirates, was first assented to by the ex-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on December 5, 2019.

The governor assented to an amendment to the law on October 14, 2020, and signed another amendment on April 11, 2023.

Section 3(1) of the law established five distinct Emirates of Kano, Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye, with Kano and Karaye having eight local government areas of jurisdiction each, while Bichi and Gaya Emirates share nine local government areas of jurisdiction each, and Rano emirate enjoys jurisdiction over 10 local government areas out of the 44 local councils in the state.

Section 4 of the law established the state council of chiefs membership, which includes the five emirs, secretary to the state government, commissioner for local governments, and five chairmen, with one each from the Emirates, as well as 10 kingmakers and representatives from the business community and the security agencies, and not more than two appointees by the governor.

Section 5 provides for the chairmanship of the council of chiefs, which shall rotate among the emirs. When Emir Muhammad 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.”

A principal officer of the Assembly, who does not want his name mentioned, said, “We were ready for this a long time ago, and only God can stop this amendment.

“We wanted all these emirs to go 20 days after this administration was inaugurated, but here we are. So, tomorrow (Thursday) there would be a special session of the assembly to consider and pass the amendment.”

However, the minority leader of the assembly, Abdul Labaran Madari, told BBC Hausa, “12 APC members in the assembly were not opposed to the amendment, provided none of the five Emirates would be dissolved, and the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, would not be deposed and replaced with Muhammad Sanusi.”

Madari said, “Though the NNPP lawmakers in the assembly have the numbers to effect the amendment, the opposition members would ventilate their opposition.” He added that the ruling party had perfected its plan to dissolve Bichi Emirate, as well as reinstate the deposed Emir Sanusi.

“The other emirates would be left with three local government areas of jurisdiction each.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

Former National Vice Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Mohammed Lukman, has issued a 16-day ultimatum to the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to convene meetings of various party organs or face legal action.

In a letter dated May 21, 2024, and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lukman requested that the President compel Ganduje to convene meetings of the National Executive Committee (NEC), National Caucus, and the National Advisory Council (also known as the Board of Trustees) within 16 days.

These organs have not met since Ganduje assumed office on August 3, 2023, with only the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting regularly to oversee the party’s day-to-day operations.

The letter was copied to Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum Hope Uzodinma, among others.

Lukman’s ultimatum emphasizes the need for the party’s organs to meet and make crucial decisions, warning of legal action if the meetings are not convened within the specified timeframe.

The letter reads in part, “l am compelled to kindly draw Your Excellency’s attention that as it is, our party is operating almost blindly without recourse to provisions of the APC Constitution. Meetings of organs as specified by relevant provisions of the APC Constitution are not taking place.

“Decisions, which established organs of the party are expected to take, are being taken by individual leaders outside those organs. One of the critical organs, the Board of Trustees, which is renamed National Advisory Council has not been inaugurated since the formation of the APC in July 2013.

“With such reality, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has appropriated the powers of all organs and in its name the National Chairman is taking discretionary decisions.

“With such reality, many of the decisions taken not only violate sections of the APC Constitution but also undermine Sections 221 — 229 of Part Il of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended as well as the Electoral Act 2022.

“I want to kindly demand that every necessary initiative should be started between now May 21, 2024 and June 7, 2024 to activate all organs of the APC in line with the extant provisions of the party’s constitution.

“Failure to do that will compel me as a patriotic Nigerian and loyal party member who has paid his dues to seek legal redress. Democracy is meaningless without functional political parties.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his deepest condolences to the government and people of Kano State following a devastating fire incident at a mosque in Larabar Abasawa, Gezawa Local Government Area, which claimed the lives of several worshippers.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, condemned the “heinous act” and prayed for a speedy recovery for those injured.

According to reports, a family dispute over inheritance led to the tragic incident, which occurred during the early morning prayer session at around 5:30 am.

The suspect, Shafiu Abubakar, allegedly set the mosque ablaze by spraying petroleum and locking the door, trapping approximately 40 worshippers inside.

President Tinubu strongly denounced the act of arson, directing law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the prosecution of those responsible.

He extended his sympathies to the bereaved families, all those affected, and prayed for the quick recovery of the wounded.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A 26-year-old man, Yusuf Abdullahi, was arraigned before a Kano State Sharia Court, Fagge, for allegedly assaulting his friend, Aminu Umar, resulting in the loss of a tooth.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Abdul Wada, the defendant and the complainant had a disagreement on May 9, which escalated into a physical altercation.

The defendant allegedly gave the complainant several blows to the head and body, causing injuries and resulting in the loss of a tooth.

The Khadi, Malam Umar Lawal-Abubakar, ordered the defendant to be remanded in a correctional center and adjourned the case until May 30 for further hearing.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

A devastating explosion rocked a mosque in Gadan Village, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, on Wednesday, leaving 24 people critically injured.

The blast occurred during the early morning Subhi Prayer, sending shockwaves through the community. 

According to the Kano Police Command, the explosion is believed to have been caused by a petrol bomb, although a full investigation is still ongoing.

The police were quick to respond to the scene, cordoning off the area and rushing the victims to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano for treatment. 

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed that 20 male adults and 4 male children were among the injured.

He also revealed that the principal suspect, Shafi’u Abubakar, aged 38, has been arrested and is currently in police custody. 

According to the suspect, the explosion was a result of a prolonged family disagreement over inheritance.

He allegedly targeted those he believed had cheated him, who were present in the mosque at the time. 

The police have assured the public that a detailed investigation is ongoing and that more information will be released as it progresses. 

The victims and their families are in the thoughts and prayers of the community as they recover from this devastating incident.

 By Uzair Adam Imam

Sadiq Zubairu, previously employed by the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), has admitted to the murder of his colleague, Bello Bukar Adamu, over an unresolved debt of N3 million. 

Adamu, a resident of Kano, went missing after allegedly receiving an urgent call from Zubairu. Two days later, Adamu’s body was discovered in Kumbotso Local Government Area.  

According to Abdullahi Abubakar, Adamu’s brother, Adamu had high hopes of securing a job offer with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and had entrusted Zubairu to facilitate the opportunity.

However, upon receiving the call from Zubairu, Adamu vanished. Police spokesperson Abdullahi Kiyawa confirmed Zubairu’s arrest and the ongoing investigation into the matter.

Zubairu reportedly confessed to conspiring with two others to lure Adamu to his house, where they fatally assaulted him and disposed of his body. 

Zubairu claimed the dispute arose from his inability to repay the N3 million debt he owed Adamu, which was taken under false pretenses of securing a job offer. 

The Daily Reality learned that hundreds gathered for Adamu’s burial, mourning the loss of a trusted colleague.  

Sani Bala, KEDCO’s spokesperson, expressed shock at the incident, stating that it was a personal matter unrelated to the company.

He clarified that Zubairu was no longer an employee at the time of the incident.