Kano House of Assembly repeals law establishing new Emirates

The Kano State House of Assembly has passed the Kano Emirates Council Law (Repeal Bill) 2024 after its third reading, DailyTrust reports.

This new legislation effectively nullifies the establishment of five new emirates in the state.

With the passage of this bill, all offices created under the repealed law have been set aside, and district heads elevated or appointed under the former law are to revert to their previous positions. The Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment Number 2) Law, 2024, was sponsored by the Majority Leader and Dala Constituency representative, Lawan Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa.

The initial law, which created the five new emirates of Kano, Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye, was first signed by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on December 5, 2019. Subsequent amendments were made on October 14, 2020, and April 11, 2023. Under Section 3(1) of the original law, Kano and Karaye emirates had jurisdiction over eight local government areas each, Bichi and Gaya emirates over nine local government areas each, and Rano Emirate over ten local government areas, out of the state’s 44 local councils.

Following the deposition of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi on March 9, 2020, the law was further amended to stipulate: “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, who wished to remain anonymous, asserted, “No Jupiter can stop the assembly from amending the law,” emphasizing the assembly’s authority and determination in passing the repeal bill.