Kano governor assents to bill reversing creation of five Emirates by Ganduje, reinstates Sanusi II as Emir

…Gives 48 hours to five affected Emirs to vacate palaces

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has Thursday afternoon signed the Emirate Repeal Law 2024 dissolving the five Emirate Councils in the State created by the immediate-past Governor of the state Dr Abdullahi Ganduje in 2019.

The bill, which was swiftly passed by the state assembly Thursday, aims to restore the traditional leadership structure of Kano State.

During a press briefing held this evening, Governor Yusuf announced the reinstatement of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, who was deposed by the former governor, Ganduje, who is now the National chairman of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in 2019.

Gov. Yusuf

Yusuf went further to issue a directive to the emirs who have been removed on account of the return of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi as Emir of Kano to vacate their palaces within the next 48 hours.

Five emirs appointed by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje are the ones mainly affected by the order. Ganduje had split Kano emirate into five and appointed an emir for each, including the newly created Emirates of Karaye, Gaya, Bichi, and Rano.

However, the Kano House of Assembly, controlled by the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), had repealed the law which Ganduje used to make the changes. The lawmakers transmitted their bill to Governor Yusuf, who signed it into law on Thursday evening.

Addressing the media after signing the law, Governor Yusuf directed the sacked monarchs to vacate official residences and palaces and hand over to the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs within two days.

The decision to revert to a single emirate system comes after months of political and legal disputes surrounding the creation of additional emirates in Kano State. The move is seen as a step towards reconciliation and the restoration of traditional leadership in the state.

The reinstatement of Emir Sanusi II, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, is expected to bring stability and unity to the emirate. Sanusi is widely respected for his outspokenness on issues of governance, education, and social reforms.

Emir Sanusi 11

As Kano State navigates this transitional period, all eyes will be on Governor Yusuf and Emir Sanusi as they work towards addressing the challenges facing the state and promoting the welfare of its citizens.

Governor Yusuf has called for reign of peace and harmony in the state during the transition period even as Sanusi II is expected to make a grand entry to Kano on Friday.