Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has sanctioned the appointment of three second-class emirs, as announced by Sanusi Bature, the Director General of Press to the Governor.
The newly appointed emirs are Alhaji Muhammad Mahraz Karaye of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Umar of Rano, and Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir Gaya of Gaya. These appointments are effective immediately, with the emirates serving as second-class to the Kano first-class emirate.
Alhaji Muhammad Karaye, previously the District Head of Rogo, assumes the position of Emir of Karaye. Alhaji Muhammad Umar, former District Head of Bunkure, is appointed Emir of Rano. Alhaji Aliyu Abdulkadir Gaya, who was recently dethroned from the defunct Gaya emirate, now serves as the Emir of Gaya.
These appointments follow the enactment of the Kano State Emirate Council Establishment Bill 2024 into law, signed by Governor Yusuf on Monday. The legislation, passed by the State House of Assembly, aims to enhance governance at the grassroots level while preserving cultural values.
Under the new law, second-class Emirate Councils are established in Rano, Gaya, and Karaye, each overseeing specific local government areas. The Rano Emirate includes Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure; Gaya Emirate covers Gaya, Albasu, and Ajingi; and Karaye Emirate spans Karaye and Rogo.
These councils are empowered to advise the Emir of Kano on matters of public order and boundary disputes within their jurisdictions, supporting the existing Kano Emirate Council led by a first-class Emir.
Governor Yusuf emphasized the law’s significance in upholding cultural values and bridging governance gaps. Speaker Jibrin Falgore affirmed the Assembly’s commitment to improving governance and citizens’ welfare.
This development is expected to bolster Kano State’s governance framework, integrating traditional institutions into local administration and cultural preservation.
In a related move in May, Governor Yusuf reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, sparking legal challenges in the state following the removal of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.