On Sunday, residents of Gaya, Kano State took to the streets in protest against the government’s dissolution of the Gaya Emirate, ChannelsTV reported.
This action followed the recent amendment of the Kano Emirates Council Law of 2019 by the state House of Assembly. The amendment reversed the law implemented by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in 2020, which had created additional emirates and dethroned the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The dissolution was finalized on Thursday when Governor Abba Yusuf signed the amendment bill into law. The governor directed the emirs of the affected emirates, including Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, Emir of Gaya, to hand over their authority to Deputy Governor Abdulsalam Gwarzo. Gwarzo oversees the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Reports indicate that the dethroned emir vacated the palace at midnight on Thursday without any immediate signs of violence or resistance. Armed security personnel were deployed to maintain order in the town.
However, the situation escalated on Sunday morning when residents stormed the streets wielding placards and chanting anti-government slogans. They accused the government of political motives behind the dissolution and demanded the reinstatement of their emirate and the removed emir.
“Some people are not happy with this development. It feels like an injustice to our community,” said Abubakar Shuaibu, a resident of Gaya.
Aminu Abdullahi, another protester, added, “We see this as a political move to undermine our traditional institutions. The government should reconsider its decision and respect our cultural heritage.”
The protesters expressed their loyalty to their traditional leadership and called for the reinstatement of the Gaya Emirate.