The governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has approved the creation of four additional emirates in the state, greatly reducing the influence of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi.
The governor in a statement said: “the traditional institution will now go closer to the people in all nooks and crannies of the state. We are about to make history today and in the Holy Month of Ramadhan.”
The newly created emirate councils are Gaya, Rano, Karaye, and Bichi.Kano now has five independent emirate councils, including the Kano Emirate Council headed by the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Mr Sanusi.
According to Premium Time, the new law establishing the emirates tagged ”Emir’s Appointment and Deposition Amendment bill 2019” was passed expeditiously (within two days) by the lawmakers raising concerns about a possible political undertone.
The real motive of the governor according to some observers is to reduce the tremendous influence of the Emir of Kano.
Mr Sanusi reportedly opposed the re-election of Mr Ganduje. The governor scraped through reelection after a disputed supplementary election. He lost heavily in Kano Municipal, the seat of the Emir.
With Wednesday’s amendment, Kano Emirate will now cover about eight local government areas.
Kano State has the highest number of LGAs in Nigeria with 44.
