Uncertainty as Bill for creation of additional emirates councils scales 1st reading at Kano assembly


The bill seeking for the amendment of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs law to pave way for the upgrading of some traditional rulers of the status of 1st class Emirs has scaled first reading at the Kano State House of Assembly.

The Assembly has also adopted the report of its standing committee of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and that of Judiciary, following  series of contribution on the issue by the law makers.

The assembly embarked on its earlier plans to review the law after receiving a petition from Ibrahim Salisu Chambers demanding for the upgrading of some traditional rulers to the status of 1st class Emirs.

Ibrahim and chambers in the petition  had sought  for the creation of the four additional 1st class emirate councils in Karaye, Bichi, Rano and Gaya.

According to the petition, the establishment of the above emirate councils would bring more developmental advantages in the state.

The petitioner in  his request, demanded for the decentralisation of the emirate council and that the motive was to draw the remote and historic emirate closer to the state government, which would enhanced security and developmental aspects of Kano.

Reading the joint committees report on  the floor of the house on Tuesday, the majority leader, Alhaji Baffa Danagundi, said the report also recommended the review of the law. 

According to him, the decision followed wide spread consultation with stakeholders, adding that the feed back the committee received from the public, massively supported the upgrade of those emirate councils.

He said the response received, clearly showed that the need to upgrade the traditional rulers was necessary.

In their separate contribution to the debate, most of the legislators unanimously adopted the report, and the house also adopted.

However, hundreds of Kano residents stormed the assembly with placards carrying different inscriptions in support of the move to create the additional 1st class emirs.

Blueprint recalls that a similar move was made four decades ago by the former Governor of Kano, late Abubakar Rimi, when he created more emirates in 1982 and was later dissolved by late Sabo Bakin-Zuwo in 1983.

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