Governor Yusuf Breaks Silence on New Emirates and Sanusi’s Dethronement

Abdullahi HammedJune 15, 2023

2 minutes read

The governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has denied any plans to dissolve the four new emirates created by his predecessor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, or to reinstate the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, as the sole first class traditional ruler in the state.

The governor’s statement came as a response to some reports circulating on social media that claimed he had concluded arrangements to reverse the decisions made by the previous administration regarding the emirate system in Kano.

According to one of the reports, the newly inaugurated state assembly would be considering a motion on Thursday sponsored by the assembly’s majority leader, Lawan Hussaini, member representing Dala constituency, to scrap the new emirates of Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye and restore Emir Sanusi II to his former position.

However, both Hussaini and Yusuf have dismissed the report as false and baseless. Hussaini said he had no intention of sponsoring such a motion after Wednesday’s plenary, while Yusuf said he had not taken any decision yet on the status of the new emirates as speculated.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa late Wednesday, Yusuf said the engagement between the executive and legislative arms of government in Kano would be open and transparent to allow the people of Kano access to information on major policies and decisions of the NNPP led administration.

He said the only correspondence between him and the state assembly since its inauguration was his request to appoint 20 special advisers which was approved by the lawmakers in their maiden sitting on Wednesday.

He also said he would send the list of nominees for commissioners who would serve in his cabinet next week for confirmation by the assembly.

Newsflash Nigeria reports that there have been speculations about the possible reversal of the laws that created by the new emirates since Yusuf won the gubernatorial election in March under the platform of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

The speculations were further fueled when Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the leader of NNPP and Yusuf’s godfather, granted an interview where he said he expected Yusuf’s government to review the creation of the new emirates and the dethronement of Emir Sanusi II.

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Yusuf has since assumed office on May 29 and has embarked on demolition of properties considered to be illegally allocated by Ganduje’s administration, thereby giving credence to the rumours that he might also undo Ganduje’s actions on the emirate system.

The creation of four new emirates by Ganduje in 2019 was seen by many as a move to reduce the influence and power of Emir Sanusi II who had been critical of Ganduje’s policies and alleged corruption.

With the new law, Kano State now has five emirates of Kano, Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya. Kano emirate, which used to control all the 44 local governments in the state, now has only 10 under its jurisdiction.

Emir Sanusi II was dethroned by Ganduje in March 2020 over allegations of insubordination and disrespect for lawful authorities. He was replaced by Aminu Ado Bayero, one of his distant relatives.