Kano Assembly repeals Emirates Council Law
…dissolves five new emirates
By Innocent Raphael
The Kano State House of Assembly has passed the Kano Emirates Council Law (Repeal Bill) 2024 after its third reading.
This new law effectively dissolves the establishment of five new emirates in the state, reverting the administrative structure to its previous configuration.
The repeal bill, which nullifies the creation of the emirates of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye, alongside Kano, stipulates that all offices established under the now-repealed law be dissolved.
Consequently, district heads who were elevated or appointed under the previous legislation will return to their former positions, with talks of the reinstatement of former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi gaining momentum.
Sponsored by the Majority Leader and Dala Constituency representative, Lawan Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa, the bill marks a reversal of a significant administrative change initially enacted by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on December 5, 2019.
Subsequent amendments to the law were also assented to by Ganduje on October 14, 2020, and April 11, 2023.
The previous law established five distinct emirates with varying jurisdictions: Kano and Karaye each overseeing eight local government areas, Bichi and Gaya each managing nine, and Rano governing ten of the 44 local councils in the state.
The repeal follows the deposition of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi on March 9, 2020, when the law was amended to designate the emir of the Kano Emirate as the council chairman.
Under Section 12 of the now-repealed law, the governor had the authority to grade emir offices as first, second, or third class, subject to legislative approval.
A principal officer from the assembly, who preferred to remain anonymous, asserted the assembly’s resolve, stating that “no Jupiter can stop the assembly from amending the law.”
The repeal marks a return to the traditional emirate structure in Kano State, reversing significant administrative changes implemented over the past five years and very surprisingly could see the return to power of the former Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
