The Kano State Government has urged all stakeholders, including authorities, institutions, and individuals, to fully comply with the recent Court of Appeal ruling that settled the protracted dispute over the Emirate Council reforms.
The state commissioner of justice, Barr Haruna Isah Dederi, in a press briefing on Saturday at the NUJ Press Centre in Kano, highlighted the importance of upholding a recent Court of Appeal ruling.
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal overturned earlier Federal High Court judgments, validating the Kano State Government’s actions regarding chieftaincy appointments and the restructuring of traditional institutions.
“The appellate court has quashed all decisions and orders of the Federal High Court,” stated Hon. Ibrahim Adamu. “It has upheld the law enacted by the Kano State House of Assembly, legitimizing all actions taken by the governor following that law.”
The government described the judgment as a reinforcement of its reforms and a step in respecting constitutional boundaries in chieftaincy matters.
The officials emphasised the government’s ongoing commitment to unity and development, calling for cooperation from all parties to achieve equitable governance across Kano’s emirates.
“This ruling is a victory for justice and fairness,” Halima Yusuf said, adding “We encourage everyone to work collaboratively with the government to realize the reforms’ goals of inclusivity and progress.”
Reassuring citizens of its dedication to preserving Kano’s rich cultural heritage while advancing development, the government framed the judgment as a milestone in harmonizing tradition with modernization.
“This decision represents a pivotal moment for our state,” the commissioners jointly remarked. “Let us focus on Kano’s collective well-being and move forward in unity.”
The government concluded by calling for peace and respect for the rule of law, urging all parties to embrace the judgment and contribute to Kano’s stability and growth.
Background of the Tussle
The Kano Emirate tussle is rooted in a power struggle over the restructuring of Kano’s traditional institutions, initiated in 2019 by the Kano State Government under then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The government sought to decentralize the Kano Emirate by creating four new emirates—Gaya, Rano, Karaye, and Bichi—carving them out of the historic Kano Emirate.
The move reduced the authority of the Kano Emir, then Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, sparking controversy and accusations of political vendetta.
Critics claimed that the reforms aimed to diminish Sanusi’s influence due to his outspoken criticism of government policies, while proponents argued that the restructuring was intended to bring governance closer to the grassroots and promote equitable development.
The matter escalated to the courts, with the Federal High Court initially invalidating the law that established the new emirates.
However, the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned these earlier decisions, upholding the legality of the government’s actions and validating the reforms.
