Armed security personnel from the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, took control of strategic locations at the Kano House of Assembly on Wednesday as lawmakers began amending the State Emirates Council Law that established five emirates.
The amendment to the Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment Number 2) Law 2024 (1445AH), sponsored by Majority Leader Lawan Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa, representing Dala Constituency, successfully passed first reading.
Journalists covering the proceedings were required to identify themselves before being granted entry, and all roads leading to the Assembly Complex were barricaded.
The original Kano State Emirates Council Law, which created five new emirates, was first signed by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on December 5, 2019.
The law was subsequently amended on October 14, 2020, and again on April 11, 2023.
Section 3(1) of the law establishes the five emirates – Kano, Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye. Kano and Karaye each have jurisdiction over eight local government areas, Bichi and Gaya over nine each, and Rano over ten of the state’s 44 local councils.
The current amendment, which has passed its first reading, seeks to further refine the structure and governance of the five emirates.
Section 4 of the law outlines the membership of the State Council of Chiefs, including the five emirs, the Secretary to the State Government, the Commissioner for Local Governments, five chairmen from the emirates, ten kingmakers, and representatives from the business community and security agencies, along with up to two appointees by the governor.
Section 5 stipulates that the chairmanship of the Council of Chiefs will rotate among the emirs.
Security beefed up at Kano Assembly as lawmakers move to amend Emirates Council Law