The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has reacted to the bill passed by the Kano State House of Assembly to split the Kano Emirate into five.
Recall that the bill sought to create four more emirates – Gaya, Bichi, Rano and Karaye – from the present Kano Emirate.
The Secretary-General of ACF, Anthony Sani, said that if eventually implemented, the move by the Governor Abdullahi Ganduje-led state government would not be the first time such attempt would be made.
He said that former Kano Governor, Abubakar Rimi, did same but the action was reversed by the military government of Muhammadu Buhari in the 1980s.
The Herald recalls that Rimi was Kano Governor between October 1979 and May 1983.
Speaking with The Interview magazine, Sani said, “Creation of more emirates and chiefdoms is not a new development. Recall emancipation mantra of Solomon Lar, which saw to the multiplication of chiefdoms in Plateau state during Second Republic.
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“Even Governor Rimi created emirates in Kano State, which were later overturned by General Buhari during his first coming.
“Recall Jaafaru Isa crested chiefdoms in Southern Kaduna when he was military Governor of Kaduna State.
“In Nasarawa State, there have been several exercises resulting in many emirates and chiefdoms. We have also had a similar exercise in Oyo State. So, when you think Kano state is the first to create additional emirates, it is because you have not looked around.
“But whether multiplication of emirates and chiefdoms at the public expense helps to improve good governance for common good is still a moot point.
“This is because many people are wont to posit that multiplication of feudal points and effort centers may not necessarily result in effective and efficient governance.”
Sani further said he would not be surprised should the Sokoto State Government decide to whittle down the powers of the Sokoto Caliphate by breaking it into bits.
Asked if the Caliphate could also be broken into parts like Kano, the ACF scribe responded, “I cannot tell precisely because governance and traditions of society are dynamic and in state of flux.
“If language, which is emblematic of culture is dynamic, traditional institution is subject to change.
“There will be nothing exotic or quixotic if such changes take place in Sokoto State.”
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