Photo Credit: The Guardian

Security was heightened at the Kano House of Assembly on Wednesday as lawmakers began the process of amending the State Emirates Council law, which established five Emirates. The presence of police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was notable at key locations within the Assembly premises.

A senior official of the Assembly expressed strong determination to proceed with the amendments. “We were ready for this a long time ago, and only God can stop this amendment,” he said. “We wanted all these emirs to go 20 days after this administration was inaugurated, but here we are. Tomorrow (Thursday), there will be a special session of the Assembly to consider and pass the amendment.”

However, the process is not without opposition. Abdul Labaran Madari, a member of the Assembly, informed BBC Hausa that 12 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are currently against the proposed amendment. Their primary condition is that none of the five Emirates will be disbanded, and that the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, should remain in office, rather than being replaced by the ousted Emir Muhammad Sanusi.

Despite the opposition, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) lawmakers in the Assembly hold a majority, which is expected to be sufficient to pass the amendment. The dissenting members, however, plan to voice their objections.

Madari further revealed that the governing party has finalized its strategy for dismantling the Bichi Emirate and reinstating Emir Sanusi. Under the proposed changes, the remaining Emirates would each have jurisdiction over three local government areas.

The situation remains tense as the special session approaches, with both sides preparing for a heated debate over the future structure of the Kano Emirate

From Imran Muhammad/X