The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated steps to amend the Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Law, previously used by former governor Abdullahi Ganduje to dethrone the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II.
This decision was made during a plenary session on Tuesday, following a motion by Majority Leader Hussien Dala of the Dala constituency.
The proposed amendments come amid growing public demand for the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi, who was controversially removed from his position in 2020.
The 2019 law amendment had divided the historic Kano Emirate into five distinct emirates, creating Rano, Karaye, Gaya, and Bichi Emirates, and appointing First Class Emirs to lead them.
While presenting the motion, Dala emphasized the necessity of revisiting the Emirs Law to address issues arising from the 2019 amendment. “The need to revisit the Emirs Law has become imperative to address the issues that have arisen from the 2019 amendment. We must ensure that our traditional institutions are governed by laws that reflect fairness and justice,” Dala stated.
There has been significant public pressure to restore Muhammad Sanusi II to his former position.
Mallam Ibrahim Musa, a resident of Kano, expressed his support for Sanusi’s return, saying, “Sanusi is a man of integrity and vision. His removal was a great loss to Kano, and bringing him back would be a step towards rectifying past wrongs.”
The amendment process will include thorough scrutiny and potential public hearings to ensure all perspectives are considered.
Speaker of the House, Abdulaziz Garba Gafasa, emphasized the importance of transparency and inclusiveness. “We are committed to conducting a fair and open amendment process. All stakeholders will have the opportunity to contribute to the discussions,” he assured.
