The Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party in Kano State, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, has alleged that former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje created new emirate councils to boost his political fortunes ahead of the 2023 elections.
Dungurawa likened the emirs to commissioners appointed to serve Ganduje’s interests.
“The emirs enjoyed the status of appointed commissioners by Ganduje, but it is in the public interest that they ceased to be recognized after the former governor’s tenure,” he added.
He disclosed, “The five first-class emirs we met on the throne were essentially commissioners appointed by Ganduje to assist him in winning elections.
The reality is that as soon as Ganduje lost the elections and stepped down as Governor of Kano State, they should have vacated their positions because none of them held the vacant seat of Emir of Kano after Muhammadu Sanusi II left.”
The NNPP chairman claimed that the emirs’ tenure expired after Ganduje lost the election and should have vacated their positions, according to Nigerian Tribune.
Perhaps they did not acknowledge that their tenure had expired after their benefactor lost the elections, resulting in Dr. Ganduje’s departure from the state seat of power.”
He hinted that the decision to strip them of their traditional status stemmed from public outcry over the vacant position of Emir of Kano.
“The Governor, Abba Yusuf, acted in response to public outcry regarding the vacant position of Emir of Kano and reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II, who had previously been dethroned.”
He praised Governor Abba Yusuf for reinstating Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano, following public outcry over the vacant position.
“The Governor, Abba Yusuf, acted in response to public outcry regarding the vacant position of Emir of Kano and reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II, who had previously been dethroned”
However, Alhaji Ilyasu Musa Kwankwaso, former Commissioner for Rural and Community Development under Ganduje’s administration, refuted the allegations.
Kwankwaso stated that the new emirate councils were established for grassroots development and brought significant positive changes.
The controversy surrounding the emirate councils continues, with differing opinions on their creation and purpose.
Responding to the flag-raising at the Nassarawa mini palace, he said, “The Nassarawa mini palace is a guest house for the Emir. It pertains to the Kano Emirate and demonstrates that the Special Assistant to the Emir of Kano is faithfully performing his duties by overseeing the mausoleum where their ancestors are laid to rest.”
