The governor of Kano State, Mr. Abdullahi Ganduje yesterday signed into law the bill he sent to the state House of Assembly on Monday for the creation of four new emirates in the state.
Ganduje had created the new emirates in a move that was seen as a deliberate attempt to whittle down the influence of the emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohmmadu Sanusi 11.
However, on November 21 a Kano High Court voided the creation of the four new emirates – Rano, Gaya, Karaya and Bichi – and the appointment of first class emirs for them.
Consequently, Ganduje resent the bill following the court’s ruling.
The lawmakers rushed through the bill on Wednesday and Thursday and unanimously agreed on the creation of the new emirates.
The governor assented to the bill at a special ceremony on Thursday.
The action has now paved the way for the state to have five emirates.
Justifying the action, Ganduje said the last law was challenged in the court as being sponsored by private hands, blaming that the bill then was not from state executive.
Out of respect (for the law), he said the state decided to sponsor another Bill by the executive.
“As a law-abiding administration, we came and deliberated upon that at the state executive council. After which we sent the Bill to the State House of Assembly, seeking for the creation of 4 additional emirates, namely Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye.
“After successfully passing the Bill by the House, here we are, as you are all witnessing the singing of the Bill into a Law. And our Emirates have come to stay,” he said.
He further explained that all things concerning the new Emirates were done to bring development closer to the people.
“We need sustainable socio-economic development for our dear state. We need further improvement in the security system and well being of our people,” he added.
The Law provides that there will be individual emirate council in all the now five emirates with membership of the councils drawn from the Emir, who heads the Council of his own domain, Imam from the Emirate, representative of business community, and other identified group of people from there.
At the state level, there is going to be a central council of emirs which will consist of all the five emirs in the state as well as representatives of other identified groups of people.
While the chairman of the central council of emirs will be appointed by the governor, who will chair the council for two years, it is again the prerogative of the governor to make sure that the chairmanship goes round all the five emirates.
Sanctions are also attached for any erring emir or any traditional ruler.
If an emir refuses to attend council of emirs meetings three times without any concrete and convincing reason, such an emir’s turban would be removed, but with consultation of other emirs, by the governor.
Another action that attracts sanction from the provision of the new law is that if an emir disrespects the norms and values of his people, where such an emir’s action goes against the culture and tradition of his people, he would face the music.
“Any emir or any traditional ruler who goes against the provision of this law, such a person will definitely face the music. He will surely be punished without any wasting of time,” Ganduje warned.
