KANO, Nigeria – The elders of Kano South have called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to restore the five emirates established during the tenure of former Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje. Speaking at the Kano Press Centre, Alhaji Musa Salihu addressed the press on behalf of the elders, highlighting the significant progress and development achieved through the creation of these new emirates.
“We stand here today to shed light on the immense progress and development that the upgrade of the new emirates in southern Kano brought about under the visionary leadership of the former Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje. This transformative initiative paved the way for urban upgrades and the expansion of critical infrastructure in the capital and surrounding areas of the emirates, heralding a new era of prosperity and growth,” said Salihu.
The new emirates of Gaya, Rano, and Karaye, which evolved as separate chiefdoms with rich historical backgrounds, represented a significant portion of Kano’s population, currently estimated at 15.46 million. Before their establishment, these regions suffered from a lack of tertiary healthcare and educational institutions, stalling human progress and development.
Salihu explained that the administrative control centralized in Kano City hindered progress in the outlying emirates due to marginalization and over-concentration of social amenities and law enforcement resources. The decentralized development efforts aimed to distribute resources more evenly and foster social and economic growth in these regions.
However, the elders criticized the current administration’s decision to amend the emirate law, a move they see as regressive. “The decision to amend the regressive emirate law by the State Assembly members and hastily assented to by the current Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is a significant setback to the progress and development of the emirates. This move not only stripped us of our heritage and potential for growth but also threatened to reverse the positive trajectory that had been set in motion by the previous administration,” Salihu stated.
The elders commended the State Assembly members from Gaya, Takai, Doguwa, and Tudun Wada Local Governments for their support of the emirates’ progress and urged other members to align themselves with this path of development.
“The actions taken by the previous administration, based on extensive consultations and due process, reflect a commitment to the well-being and progress of the emirates. The sudden removal of our respected emirs without just cause or due process is a grave injustice that must be rectified,” Salihu added.
The elders acknowledged the judicial intervention that temporarily halted the legislation and called on the Kano State Government and House of Assembly to uphold the rule of law and restore the emirates as directed by the Federal High Court.
“We express our gratitude to the judiciary and security agencies for their diligence in safeguarding the rights and well-being of the people. It is crucial that we work together to ensure the continued progress and prosperity of the emirates, Kano, and Nigeria as a whole,” Salihu concluded.
