Mukhtar Yahya Usman

Kano state House of Assembly has postponed deliberations on a bill for the amendment of the 2019 Kano Emirate Council law.

Kano Focus reports that the Assembly had earlier planned to tackle the bill on Monday but decided to go on Sallah Break till August 24.

Kano state governor Abdullahi Ganduje had on Wednesday sought the Assembly’s permission to make the Emir of Kano permanent chairman of the state Emirate council thereby elevating his rank above the remaining four first class emirs.

The bill also seeks to include the holder of the newly created Sarkin Dawaki Babba title among the Kingmakers of the Kano Emirate.

Exiled Kano emirs and their privileges

Emir of Kano gets new appointment

Emir Bayero reverses father, returns Dan Agundi to Emirate Council

It could be recalled that the Kano Emirate had appointed Aminu Babba Dan Agundi to the new position after a Supreme Court verdict upheld the decision of late Emir Ado Bayero to depose him as Kingmaker and Sarkin Dawaki Mai Tuta 17 years ago.

Plot to sabotage new emirates

The decision to reinstate Mr Dan Agundi has been characterized by analysts as a means to downgrade the four first class emirates created by the Ganduje administration, a charge that the government has denied.

Professor of History, Dahiru Yahaya told Kano Focus that Mr Dan Agundi’s re-appointment to the Kano Emirate Council is a threat to the sustainability of the four new emirates created by the Kano state governor.

Mr Yahya said Mr Dan Agundi will use his position to help the Kano emir in bringing down the four newly created emirates of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye.

“Reappointing him is like digging a hole for the other emirates, because he is a powerful man –  if he returns to the Kano emirate he will collaborate with the Emir of Kano and destroy the other four emirates.” He said.

The historian observed that even though the emir has the power to re-appoint any deposed title holder, reappointing Dan Agundi was the highest form of disregard to the rule of law and the traditional institution.

 “Going by the Supreme Court’s judgment that the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, was right to remove Sarkin Dawaki, it means what Sarkin Dawaki did was wrong, and if he was wrong, why should the emir now turban a wrongdoer?

“What I am saying, in essence, is that it is not right to turban somebody who was said to be wrong by the Supreme Court, even if you are giving him another title, it’s wrong and shameful.” He said.

Baseless claim

However, Special Adviser to Kano state governor on council of emirs Tijjani Mailafiya Sanka said reinstating Mr Dan-Agundi will not pose any threat to the existence of the other four emirates.

“Aminu Babba will not cooperate with the Kano emirate to bring down other emirates rather he will help the emirate in bringing cordial relation among them.

“As the Emir of Kano will permanently chair the Council of Emirs, he will not do anything to sabotage the other emirates being the pioneer Emir of one of the new emirates.” Mr Sanka said.

He also debunked claims that it is against Kano tradition to re-appoint deposed title holders.

“Emir of Kano Alu deposed his young brother Galadima Mahmudu, and Emir Usman re-appointed him as Magajin Gari.

“Also Wamban Kano Abubakar was removed from his position and Emir Ado Bayero returned him as Dan Buran after he repented”

“Sarkin Dawaki admitted his wrongdoing to the Emir and repented, that’s why he is set to be returned by the Emir.”

Mr Sanka also denied that Governor Ganduje might have forced Emir Aminu Bayero to reverse his late father’s decision.

“If the governor was the one who forced the Emir   to return him, why are we still waiting for his approval?

“He has no hand in this and I tell you all these are baseless rumors.” Mr Sanka said.