… Yusuf orders deposed emirs to vacate official residences, palaces in 48 hours
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on Thursday reappointed Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, four years after he was dethroned by a former Governor of the state, Umar Ganduje.
In addition, the governor deposed five emirs appointed by Ganduje and gave them a 48-hour ultimatum to vacate their official residences and palaces.
He also directed them to hand over all affairs to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Those affected by the directive included the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero; Emir of Karaye; Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar II; Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim and the Emir of Rano, Alhaji Kabiru Inuwa.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party-controlled Kano House of Assembly repealed the Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Law on Thursday, paving the way for the abolishment of the emirates and changes introduced by the law under Ganduje.
Governor Yusuf signed the repeal bill into law at a ceremony attended by the principal officers of the state assembly and other top officials and covered live by the media.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the bill was passed, the Majority leader of the Kano House of Assembly, Lawal Yan Gurasa, who sponsored the repealed bill, said, “This bill in its entity has abrogated the establishment of five new emirates in the state and reverted to the former status of a single emir in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.
“That’s what the bill is now all about and there was a plan to create an additional second class emir after this. 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. The bill has empowered the governor to invite the kingmakers to nominate a new king. So, we are now waiting for the governor to ascent to the bill if he wishes and invite the kingmakers to give him a new king.”
He emphasised that the division of the emirate had caused unnecessary fragmentation and division among the people of Kano, undermining the unity that had existed for centuries.
“The abolished emirates did nothing but create division among the indigenes of Kano. We are now reverting to our old historical background; one Kano, one people, one emir,” he stated, calling for cooperation from Kano residents to support the move.
“Kano is now united. We hope the people of Kano will cooperate and pray for the peace and development of our great state,” the lawmaker appealed.
But the decision was not without opposition. During the plenary, the Minority Leader in the Kano State House of Assembly, Ayuba Labaran, staged a walkout, accusing the governor and his allies of selfish motives.
The deposed Emir of Kano, was in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State on Wednesday when he visited the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday and 64th year on the throne.
Speaking on Thursday after giving his assent, the Kano governor said, “A moment ago I exercised my constitutional duty by signing the Kano State Emirate Amendment Bill 2024 into law.
“With this law and the full support of the kingmakers, I have approved the reappointment of Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who is popularly known as Muhammadu Sanusi II as the new Emir of Kano.
“May I announce that the five former emirs affected by the repeal law 2024 are given 48 hours from this hour to vacate official residences, palaces, and offices and equally hand over all properties of the former emirates to the commissioner local government and chieftaincy affairs who is also the deputy governor of Kano State?’’
