Dennis Erezi
The abolition of the newly established four Kano emirate councils has provoked unprecedented developments in the annals of traditional institutions in Northern Nigeria.
The 2019 law, orchestrated by former Governor and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, altered the age-old Kano traditional institution.
Attempting to correct the actions of the Ganduje-led APC on the emirate council, the state assembly on Thursday repealed the 2019 laws and subsequent amendments.
The new law states: This Bill may be cited as the Kano State Emirates Councils (Repeal) Bill, 2024. The Kano State Emirates Council Law, 2019 (1441 A.H.) dated 5th December 2019 (1441 A.H.), Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) (Amendment) Law, 2019 (1440 A.H.) dated 8th May 2019, and Kano State Emirate Council (Amendment) Law, 2020 (1442 A.H.) dated 5th December 2019 (1441 A.H.) are hereby repealed.
Abrogation of the five emirates:
All offices created in the newly created five Emirates under the repealed principal law, dated 5th December 2019, are hereby abrogated. All appointments made under the said repealed Principal Law dated 5th December 2019 are hereby set aside.
Restoration of traditional titles:
All traditional office holders and titleholders elevated or appointed to offices created under the repealed Principal law, dated 5th December 2019, shall revert to their positions where such positions previously existed under-recognized customs and traditions prior to the enactment of the repealed Principal Law dated 5th December 2019.
Powers of the Governor:
The Governor shall take all necessary measures to restore the status of the Kano Emirate System to its positions prior to the enactment of the repealed Principal Law dated 5th December 2019.
Commissioner to take responsibility for all emirates:
The Commissioner responsible for Local Government shall oversee all transitional arrangements, including how best to deal with the assets and liabilities of the abolished emirates and the new structures created under the repealed Principal Law dated 5th December 2019.
The 2024 repealed emirate council law, compiled and signed by the clerk of the Kano State House of Assembly, Bashir Idris Diso, has been forwarded to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for assent.
