The Kano State House of Assembly passed the Kano Emirates Council Law (Repeal Bill) 2024 on Thursday after it successfully scaled its third reading. This new law effectively abolishes the establishment of five new emirates in the state.
Quicktell News reports that 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 original law, which created the five new emirates, was first signed by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, now the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on December 5, 2019. Subsequent amendments were assented to on October 14, 2020, and April 11, 2023.
Section 3(1) of the original law established the five distinct emirates of Kano, Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye. Kano and Karaye had jurisdiction over eight local government areas each, Bichi and Gaya shared jurisdiction over nine local government areas each, and Rano Emirate had jurisdiction over ten local government areas out of the 44 local councils in the state.
Following the deposition of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi on March 9, 2020, the law was amended to state, “There shall be the chairman of the council who shall be the emir, Kano Emirate.” Additionally, Section 12 provided that the governor could grade the office of an emir as first, second, or third class, subject to the approval of the House of Assembly.
A principal officer of the assembly, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Daily Trust, “No Jupiter can stop the assembly from amending the law.”
This legislative move marks a significant shift in the governance and administrative structure of Kano State, reverting to a more centralized emirate system.
