Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has ordered the Emirs who were removed following the return of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi as Emir of Kano to vacate their palaces within 48 hours.
Affected by the order were the five emirs appointed by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
Ganduje had split Kano emirate into five and appointed new emirs for Karaye, Gaya, Bichi and Rano.
But the Kano House of Assembly controlled by the New Nigerian Peoples Party Thursday repealed the law relied on by Ganduje.
The lawmakers promptly transmitted their bill to Governor Yusuf who signed it into law on Thursday evening.
Addressing a media briefing 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
The Kano Emirates Bill 2024 abrogated the 2019 Emirate Councils Law that altered the state’s over 1000-year history.
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By signing the bill, the governor declared that the 2019 law has been repealed and is now history.
Meanwhile, the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has expressed concern over the dethronement of Kano Emirs.
The Forum on the other hand blamed the previous administration for creating new emirates, saying such action threatens the unity and cohesion of the traditional structure and undermines the centuries-old customs, values, and traditions that are the bedrock of Nigerian society.
In a press release by its director of publicity and advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the forum warned that the crisis in the Kano emirate has significantly raised public tensions and concerns.
It, however, urged the Kano State government and the involved politicians to handle the situation with utmost care and professionalism to prevent further escalation.
“It is important for all parties involved to approach this matter with the utmost care and professionalism, keeping in mind the potential consequences of their actions. Rash decisions and inflammatory statements can only serve to worsen the situation and jeopardize the peace and stability of the state,” NEF stated.
The Forum also called on the public to remain calm and law-abiding, stressing that violence and unrest would only further divide the community and hinder peaceful resolution efforts.
The Elders emphasized the need for unity and mutual understanding during this crisis, noting that, the traditional institution in Nigeria has long faced challenges that have rendered it weak and ineffective.
The NEF said “creation of multiple emirates in Kano is a deliberate attempt to weaken the authority of traditional rulers, making them more susceptible to political control and manipulation.”
The arbitrary dethronement and replacement of high-ranking traditional rulers in Kano, according to the NEF, undermine their authority and legitimacy.
“This move threatens the unity and cohesion of the traditional structure and undermines the centuries-old customs, values, and traditions that are the bedrock of Nigerian society,” the Forum stressed.
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