Gov Yusuf To Sign Amendment To Law Used To Dethrone Emir Sanusi As Assembly Takes Final Decision Today

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is set to give his assent to the amended emirates council bill imminently, as the Kano State House of Assembly reconvenes today to reach a final decision.

In a tense atmosphere, armed security operatives from the police and civil defense took control of strategic locations at the assembly on Wednesday. Lawmakers from both the ruling NNPP and the primary opposition APC in the state paved the way for the bill, aiming to repeal the creation of five emirates, to progress to its first reading.

The Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment number 2) Law, 2024, was introduced by the Majority Leader and representative of the Dala Constituency, Lawan Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa.

The original Kano State Emirates Council Law 2019, which established five new emirates, was initially approved by ex-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on December 5, 2019 after sacking the then Emir of Kano, Emir Muhammad Sanusi. Subsequent amendments were made on October 14, 2020, and April 11, 2023.

Under Section 3(1) of the law, five distinct emirates were established, delineating jurisdiction over local government areas. However, following the deposition of Emir Muhammad Sanusi on March 9, 2020, revisions were made to designate the chairman of the council as the emir of Kano Emirate.

Section 12 empowers the Governor, subject to the House of Assembly’s approval, to classify the office of an emir as first, second, or third class.

An anonymous principal officer of the assembly asserted, “no Jupiter can stop the assembly from amending the law.” Expressing determination, the lawmaker affirmed, “We were ready for this long 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 (today) there would be a special session of the assembly to consider and pass the amendment.”