Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has reinstated Aliyu Abdulkadir as the Emir of Gaya, while also appointing new emirs for Karaye and Rano emirates.
The governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, announced these developments in a statement released on Wednesday.
According to the statement, Governor Yusuf has appointed Muhammad Mahraz, previously the district head of Rogo Local Government Area, as the new Emir of Karaye. Additionally, Muhammad Umar, formerly the district head of Bunkure, has been elevated to the position of Emir of Rano.
The reinstatement of Abdulkadir as Emir of Gaya comes after the emirate was downgraded to a second-class status. Abdulkadir was initially appointed as emir by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on September 26, 2021, just four days after the death of his father, Ibrahim Abdulkadir, who had held the traditional title of Ciroman Gaya.
“The reinstated emir of Gaya and the new appointees in Karaye and Rano will serve as second-class emirs and subordinates of the emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi,” Bature stated.
The spokesperson congratulated the reinstated and newly appointed emirs, urging them to “be custodians of culture, peace and unity of the people in their respective emirates.” He emphasized that their appointments are effective immediately.
These appointments follow recent changes in the emirate structure of Kano State. On May 23, the State Emirate Council Law of 2019 was repealed, leading to amendments that initially scrapped the emirates of Gaya, Rano, Karaye, and Bichi, aiming to restore Kano as the sole emirate in the state.
However, the latest law, signed by Governor Yusuf on Tuesday, has partially reversed this decision. While maintaining Kano as the primary emirate, it has reestablished Gaya, Karaye, and Rano as second-class emirates.
Under the new structure, Rano Emirate, headquartered in Rano, encompasses Bunkure and Kibiya Local Government Areas. Karaye Emirate, with its headquarters in Karaye, includes Rogo LGA in its domain. Gaya Emirate, based in Gaya, now oversees Ajingi and Albasu LGAs.
This reorganization means that the three second-class emirates collectively cover eight of the state’s 44 local government areas. The Kano Emirate, under the first-class Emir Lamido Sanusi, retains authority over the remaining 36 local government areas.
