The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Monday appointed the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, as the Chairman of Kano State Council of Chiefs.
The appointment was announced amid the face-off between Ganduje and Sanusi over the creation of new Kano emirates signed into law last week by Ganduje.
The governor’s spokesperson, Abba Anwar, disclosed the development in a statement, he said the appointment is with immediate effect.
He said the new appointee, Mr Sanusi, would head the state’s council of chiefs while the newly appointed emirs would serve as members.
“It is also directed that the Chairman shall immediately summon the inaugural meeting of the Council in accordance with the provisions of the Law,” Mr Anwar said.
Mr Ganduje had last week explained that the headship of the Kano State Council of Chiefs would be rotational among the emirs in the state.
Mr Ganduje insisted on creating the new emirates despite public criticism that his intention was to reduce the influence of Mr Sanusi who has been critical of his administration.
However, Mr Ganduje while assenting to the law creating the emirate said the creation of the four new emirates is a response to age long and popular demand of people of the state. He said his action was guided by the calls received from across the 44 local government areas in the state for the need of new emirates.
He added that the development would bring traditional institutions closer to the people in facilitating speedy development and security in the state.
Mr Ganduje signed the new law creating the four new emirates last week, hours after the Kano Assembly passed it. The law was passed within three days by the lawmakers without holding a public hearing.
A similar law creating the new emirates had earlier been invalidated by a court which said due process was not followed.
It is not clear if Mr Sanusi would accept the new appointment. The Kano emir had challenged the creation of new emirates when it was first done. Before the new emirates were created, the Emir of Kano was the only first class emir in the state.
The Governor’s spokesperson, Abba Anwar full statement
By the powers conferred on the Governor of Kano state, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR, by Sections 4 (2) (g) and Section 5((1) (2) of the Kano State Emirate Councils Law 2019, he makes the following appointments; that His Highness, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, Emir of Kano Emirate, as Chairman Kano State Council of Chiefs.
Among other members of the State Council of Chiefs are all other Four First Class Emirs of Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, Alhaji Dr Tafida Abubakar (Autan Bawo), Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Abubakar II and Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkadir, who are also automatic members of the Council, as enshrined in the State Emirate Council Law.
