Stakeholders decry scrapping of Gaya, Rano, Karaye emirates, demand reversal
The call is contained in a resolution signed by 103 stakeholders from the three emirates, cutting across all the local government areas that make up Kano South.
They called on the state government and House of Assembly to uphold the rule of law and strictly adhere to the directives of the Federal High Court by promptly restoring the five emirates to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
Among the 103 Kano South stakeholders who signed the resolution are: Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Sen. Mas’ud El-Jibrin, Hon. Musa Salihu, Dr. Ali Musa Burun-Burun, Sen. Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, Prof. Shehu Musa, Prof. Andu Salihu Kabiya and Major Gen. AT Jibrin (Rtd) among others.
Addressing a press conference in Kano on Wednesday, their spokesman, Musa Salisu, said that the three new emirates in Kano South abolished by Governor Yusuf had evolved as separate chiefdoms with rich historical backgrounds, representing a significant portion of the total population of Kano, which is currently projected to be 15,462,200.
“Before their first restoration and creation, the absence of tertiary healthcare and educational institutions in these emirates had stalled human progress and development.
“Furthermore, the span of administrative control in each of the emirates had hindered their progress due to marginalisation, leading to an over-concentration of social amenities and law enforcement resources in Kano city alone.
“The lack of decentralised development efforts had deprived these emirates of the necessary resources for social and economic growth,” Hon. Salihu said.
The stakeholders said they were dismayed by the regressive action of State Assembly and the Governor in scrapping the emirates, adding that it was 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.
“We stand here 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 Ganduje.
“This transformative initiative paved the way for urban upgrades and expansion of critical infrastructure in the capital and surrounding areas of the emirates, heralding a new era of prosperity and growth.
“The actions taken by the previous administration, based on extensive consultations and due process, reflect a commitment to the well-being 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 said.
The Kano South stakeholders appreciated the judiciary and security agencies for their “intervention that has brought a temporary halt to the regressive legislation.”