Weeks after a statements by former Kano state governor Rabiu Kwankwaso that the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party in Kano might revisit Ganduje’s action on the Kano emirate, a group known as Yan Dangwalen Jihar Kano (the Kano Electorate), has written to the Kano State House of Assembly, seeking the review of the law establishing four additional emirates in Gaya, Rano, Karaye, and Bichi.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly and also copied to the Kano State Governor, Kano State Deputy Governor and Secretary to the State Government on February 5, 2024, the group equally called for the reinstatement of the former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The letter reads in parts;
“We write to plead and also draw the attention of the honorable members to the law that governs the additional emirs in Kano State. Specifically, we would like to request a review and potential dissolution of the additional emirs and section that led to the creation of the four additional emirates.
“It is our firm belief that consolidating the emirates into a single entity will lead to greater unity and progress for the people of Kano. This consolidation may serve to streamline governance and promote a more cohesive community for the betterment of all citizens.
“We acknowledge the rightful authority of the Kano State House of Assembly in the issue of emirate management. However, we humbly request your esteemed Assembly to revisit and reconsider the decision to remove HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from his throne. Our belief is based on the belief that his reinstatement will foster unity, peace, and stability within Kano State and its neighboring communities.”
While stressing that the dissolution of the said emirates would foster peace and unity, the group stated that, unseating HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who they consider as an astute leader of unrivaled repute from his throne has caused division and unrest among the people of Kano State, creating unnecessary tension across the state.
In a swift reaction, the All Progressives Congress, APC has warned against any move to disrupt the current emirates arrangement, as created by Ganduje, adding that it might impact negatively on the peace and unity of the state.
The opposition party in the state advised the NNPP Governor Abba Yusuf to be careful so as not to allow himself to be pushed into doing something which, could affect the existing peaceful coexistence in the state.
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The Publicity Secretary of the APC in Kano State, Alhaji Ahmad Aruwa, described the call or demands of the group as a fairy tales.
“The APC considers the gimmick as a fairy tale. How can a group or politicians protest or tell the government to dissolve the emirates?
“The administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje had achieved a lot including the creation of the new emirates.
“The APC, as a party, is not bothered because the state government under the former Governor Ganduje has done what it was supposed to do by creating the emirates and people have seen their importance.
“Traditional institutions are supposed to be respected and the group didn’t complain or protest when the emirates were created.
“If the NNPP government wanted to dissolve the new emirates, it should come out clean rather than sponsoring “some mercenaries in the name of group seeking the dissolution of the new emirates.
“What Kano needs now is peace, not something that can cause trouble for the state and its residents.” He added.
Meanwhile when contacted, the Kano State Chairman of the NNPP, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, stated that everyone is entitled to his or her opinion adding that the group is entitled to its opinion.
Recall that in 2019 the immediate-past governor of the state, Ganduje, had signed a law splitting the Kano emirate into five through the creation of four new ones where subsequently dethroned Sanusi, who was the 14th Emir of Kano, in March 2020 and banished him to Nasarawa State.
Sanusi was reportedly dethroned for what the then government of Ganduje described as “total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the state governor and other lawful authorities, including his persistent refusal to attend official meetings and programmes organised by the government without any lawful justification which amount to total insubordination.”
