Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has insisted that there is no going back on the already created additional first-class emirates in the state despite perceived moves by the incoming administration to review the traditional institution.
The governor disclosed this while addressing workers during the May Day celebration, in response to the recent comment by New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, on the dethronement of the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Ganduje emphasised that the four new emirates are a symbol of unity, progress and well-being of the people of Kano State.
According to him “even if we are not in government, we are praying and we will keep praying for God to protect these emirates from all evils. I thank you all.”
He added “We assure you that these emirates were created because of you, because of your progress.”
“Any of you that visits the headquarters of these new emirates will believe me that we have brought development to these places. These emirates were created for unity, progress, history, and also for the recovery of the reputation of the traditional institutions. We created them to honor the people of these regions.”
“I want to assure you that these emirates are permanent, they have come to stay.
It will be recalled that in a viral video on social media, former governor Kwankwaso declared that the incoming NNPP government will review the division of Kano emirate into five by Ganduje.
Kwankwaso said: “We have campaigned and we are popular in Nigeria, especially in Kano. We are back and, God willing, we will continue with the good works our administration left.
“This incoming governor and his team will take them up.
“As elders, we will continue to advise the incoming government to do the right thing. We tried not to intervene in the issue of bringing or removing any Emir; but now, an opportunity has come. Those who were given this opportunity will sit down and see to the issues. They will look at what they are expected to do,” Kwankwaso said.
The governor Abdullahi Ganduje-led administration had dethroned Sanusi in March 2020 and banished him to Loko village in Nassarawa State as part of traditional requirement, which was later set aside by the court.
He later replaced the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, son of the late emir, and reduced the supremacy of the Kano emirate with creation of additional four first-class emirates.
Sanusi was charged with defiling the throne by interfering with the affairs of state and harshly criticizing actions and decisions made by the government he was supposed to defend.