A group of Kano elders under the auspices of ‘Friends of Democracy’
have warned of serious crisis over the appointment of new emirs by
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
The state now has five emirates: Kano, Rano, Gaya, Karaye and Bichi.
All Emirs have equal powers and are on same first class status as Emir
Muhammadu Sanusi II.
A statement on Wednesday jointly signed by Bashir Tofa, Dr. Usman
Bugaje, Dr. Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, Bilya
Bala, Hubert Shaiyen and, Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, warned that the creation
of new emirates could lead to violence and politicization of
traditional authority.
The elders asked President Muhammadu Buhari to call Ganduje to order, “to speedily engage on the reversal process.”
The statement read: “It should be noted that a minor eruption of
violence from Kano can easily conflagrate the region and possibly, the
country.
“People are angry at various levels and for various reasons, and some may use this as an opportunity to vent their anger.
“The Federal Government and, particularly, the Presidency should treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves.
“We are extremely concerned about the on-going crisis in Kano following the creation of new Emirates by the government.
“By this action, Kano lost its status as one of only two states in
Nigeria with one emirate or traditional council. Sokoto, the seat of the
Sultan of Sokoto, is the other state with a similar arrangement.
“The law removed 36 of Kano’s 44 local government areas from the Kano
Emirate to create the four new emirates – Rano, Gaya, Karaye and Bichi.
“Rano Emirate covers 10 local government councils – These are Rano,
Bunkure, Kibiya, Takai, Sumaila, Kura, Doguwa, Tudunwada, Kiru and
Bebeji.
“Gaya Emirate has nine local government councils consisting of Gaya,
Ajingi, Albasu, Wudil, Garko, Warawa, Dawakinkudu, Gabasawa and Gezawa.
“Karaye Emirate has eight local government councils – Karaye, Rogo, Gwarzo, Kabo, Rimingado, Shanono, Madobi and Garunmalam.
“Bichi Emirate has nine local government areas – Bichi, Bagwai,
Tsanyawa, Shanono, Kunchi, Dambatta, Makoda, Dawakintofa and Tofa.
“We believe that such an important matter should have been subjected
to very wide consultations and deep consideration before action was
taken.
“Precipitate action should be avoided in the governance of delicate
issues. In particular, the people should have been consulted on whether
they wanted a restructuring of their Emirate.”