Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State says the decision to create four new emirates in the state is not to undermine or cut down the influence of Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
He disclosed this in a chat with State House correspondents at the ongoing Progressive Governors Forum Award Ceremony holding at the State House conference centre, Abuja
He said the emirate was balkanised because Kano State “needs the effectiveness of the traditional rulers.
“By decentralising it, we are following history. Years back even before the 800 years you are referring to, the situation was not that.
“So if something developed 800 years ago, things are also developing now and there will be another 800 years. So look at the history.
“So, it is not vendetta, I am not against him. In fact, he is supposed to be reporting to the local government chairman according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is the local government chairman that is supposed to discuss issues with him, not the governor,” he said.
Mr Ganduje also said the people of Kano are celebrating the decision, adding “we will make sure that the new emirate councils are effective in terms of developing Kano State”
Reacting to critics, Ganduje said people condemning the decision “are entitled to their own opinion but we are taking Kano to the next level and we need the active participation of the traditional system, especially in the areas of education, security, agriculture”.
It would be recalled that Ganduje signed the bill into law on the same day Kano State House of Assembly on initiated and passed a bill splitting Kano Emirate into five emirates
