By Umar Salam
It has emerged that the four new emirates created by the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, is an old idea used by a former governor of the State, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi, to settle scores with late Emir Ado Bayero and whittle down his influence.
Former Governor Rimi had, at the time, created the same five emirates that Ganduje announced recently; Rano, Gaya, Karaye, Dutse and Auyo. It took the defeat of Rimi at the polls and the coming of a new Governor, Alhaji Sabo Bakinsuwo for the five emirates to be dissolved.
In his inaugural speech at the time, Governor Bakinsuwo was said to have looked in the direction of late Emir Ado Bayero, and in an obvious reference to the initial balkanization of the emirate by his predecessor, said “We will restore the prestige and dignity of Kano Emirate now”.
However, as incumbent Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje adopted Rimi’s strategy in a bid to tame Emir Sanusi, observers have warned the governor to be cautious as history may just about repeating itself.
Dr. Maleek Rahman, an indigene of Kano State, who spoke to our correspondent warned Governor Ganduje to be cautious, since what is at stake is more than just the influence of Emir Sanusi.
“Whatever is built in the quicksand of politics hardly stands the test of time. Abubakar Rimi created more emirates in Kano not because Kano at that time needed them but to settle scores with Emir Ado Bayero.
” This is why Ganduje must be careful, knowing fully well that power is ephemeral and transient. What he is doing is the decimation of the great Kano emirate, an emirate that serve as symbol of pride to many of us. I’ll really say the governor should be cautious “, Dr. Rahman submitted
Meanwhile, the High Court sitting in Kano yesterday (Friday) ordered Governor Ganduje to halt the process of implementing the law creating four additional emirates as passed by the State House of Assembly.
The Court judgement was in response to an exparte motion, dated May 10, 2019, filed by Hon Sule Gwarzo, before Justice Nasiru Saminu. The judgment, apart from restraining Ganduje from going ahead with the creation of the additional emirates, also asked all parties to the suit to maintain status quo pending the determination of the motion on notice.