The proposed amendment to the Kano emirate council laws progressed on Wednesday, passing its first reading on the floor of the Kano state house of assembly.
The bill sponsored by the house majority leader, Lawan Husaini Yan Gurasa was unanimously adopted as confirmed by the house speaker, Ismail Jibril Falgore.
Speaker Falgore, in his remarks, highlighted the significance of the amendment, adding that the assembly is committed to ensuring that traditional institutions reflect the will of the people and preserve the state’s cultural heritage.
The 2019 emirate law, which established the new emirates of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye alongside the historic Kano emirate, had allocated specific local government areas to each emirate.
The law also formed the state council of chiefs, comprising the five first-class chiefs, the secretary to the state government, the commissioner for local government affairs, and local government chairmen, among other members.
The bill’s sponsor and house leader expressed optimism that the amendment will unify traditional leadership and restore the integrity of the Kano emirate.
A principal officer of the Assembly, who spoke on condition of anonymity was reportedly quoted as saying “We were ready for this long time ago and Only God can stop this amendment. We wanted all these Emirs to go 20 days after this administration was inaugurated but here we are. So tomorrow (Thursday) there would be a special session of the assembly to consider and pass the amendment.”
However, minority leader of the assembly Abdul Labaran Madari said the 12 APC members in the assembly were not opposed to the amendment provided none of the five newer Emirates would be dissolved and the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, would not be deposed and replaced with Muhammad Sanusi. Although he conceded the majority NNPP lawmakers in the assembly have the numbers to effect the amendment, the opposition members would make their voices heard.
