Bichi stakeholders: Emirates did nothing wrong to be dissolved by Kano government

Stakeholders in Bichi, one of the dissolved emirates in Kano, says the five first-class emirs did nothing wrong to warrant the “unpopular decision” of the state government. 

On Thursday, Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, signed the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 after the state assembly passed it.

The law repealed the 2019 version, which balkanised the single Kano emirate into five jurisdictions — Gaya, Rano, Karaye, Bichi and Kano.

Hence, Muhammadu Sanusi was reinstated as the emir of a unified Kano emirate, four years after his dethronement.

There is currently a power tussle in the state between Sanusi and Aminu Ado Bayero, who was dethroned as emir of the Kano emirate.

In a statement issued by 39 of its stakeholders, on Sunday, Bichi said the emirs have recorded significant infrastructural and socioeconomic development in their domains in the past eight years.

Meanwhile, the emirates were created and the emirs installed five years ago.

The stakeholders also thanked the judiciary and security agencies for their “impartiality in discharging their duties and preventing a breakdown of order in the state”.

The state police command had said, on Saturday, that law enforcement agencies will obey the court order which ruled against Sanusi’s reinstatement.

“The First Class Emirate, of Bichi, wish to express our deepest appreciation to the judiciary and security agencies for their steadfast commitment to upholding the constitution and the rule of law” the statement reads.

“We commend the judiciary for their courageous interpretation of the constitution, which has ensured that the principles of democracy and separation of powers are respected in Kano State. You have indeed demonstrated a strong commitment to justice and the protection of the rights of all citizens, and we are grateful for your service.

“We also appreciate the security agencies for their professionalism and dedication to maintaining peace and order in the state, despite the challenges posed by the recent political developments. Your tireless efforts have ensured that our people can live in peace and security, and we are deeply grateful for your sacrifices.

“We are grateful for the independence and impartiality displayed by the judiciary and security agencies, which has helped to strengthen our democracy and ensure that the rights and dignity of all citizens are protected.

“The people and indeed leaders of the Bichi Emirates have endured the onslaught on their rights to this Emirate, and the actions of the judiciary and security agencies have averted the breakdown of law and order in Bichi Emirates in particular and by extension the other four Emirates.

“There is no gainsaying that all the Emirates have witnessed tremendous progress in infrastructural and socioeconomic development in the last eight years and upon no fault of any of the emirs these unpopular decisions were taken by the State Assembly and the executive arms of the Government of Kano State.”

The stakeholders also thanked President Bola Tinubu for demonstrating justice and fairness in the events that have unfurled since the matter began on Thursday.