A Kano-based human rights lawyer, Abba Hikima says the state government has no right to continue recognizing the four court dissolved emirates following its decision to submit a new bill to the House of Assembly.
KANO FOCUS recalls that the government has submitted an executive bill requesting the creation of Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano emirates after their dissolution by a Kano High Court.
Mr Hikima told KANO FOCUS that Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje has the right to either accept the court order or appeal the judgement.
“Submitting a new bill to the Assembly indicates that the government has accepted the High Court’s judgment.
“It is therefore incumbent upon Mr Ganduje to recognize Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II as the only Emir in Kano state pending the passage of the new bill.” He said.
He added that even if the new bill is passed into law, its commencement date cannot be retroactive.
“That means if a new law is approved the government has to issue new letters of appointment and staffs of office to the selected emirs.” He said.
Mr Hikima explained that the government cannot appeal the High Court judgment after it has transmitted the new bill to the Assembly.
Double-standard
The Kano state government had earlier vowed to continue recognizing the newly created Emirates and their first class emirs despite the verdict.
In line with this policy, Mr Ganduje was seen paying homage to Aminu Ado, who was the Emir of Bichi before the dissolution.
Other government agents including commissioners and heads of agencies and parastatals have also continued paying courtesy calls to the other emirs whose appointments were similarly nullified.
Muhammad Garba, Kano state commissioner of information issued both the statement recognizing the new emirates despite the court verdict and the statement announcing the approval of an executive bill seeking the creation of the new emirates.
He has however remained silent about the government’s seeming double-standards in dealing with the issue.
Mr Garba did not answer his phone when contacted by KANO FOCUS and has not replied to a text message sent to him about the matter.
Respect Public Opinion
However a Kano-based activist, Kabiru Dakata has likened the nullification of the four emirs’ positions to the nullification of the elections of House of Representative members.
“Alhassan Ado Doguwa is no longer a member of the House but can resume his seat if he wins a properly conducted election.
“Also the court ruled that the emirs and their emirates emerged out of a faulty process and therefore stand dissolved until the right process is followed.” He said.
Mr Dakata, Director General, Centre for Awareness on Justice and Accountability (CAJA) urged the Kano state House of Assembly to follow due process in considering the new executive bill submitted by Mr Ganduje.
“The House should conduct a public hearing between the second and third readings of the bill.
“The legislators should also make sure they respect the public opinions expressed at the hearing.
“But if they have already made up their minds to pass the bill no matter what Kano citizens want, they shouldn’t waste people’s time. He added.
