Protests broke out on Sunday in Gaya, Kano State, as residents expressed their anger over the recent dissolution of the Gaya Emirate by the state government.
The Gaya Emirate is one of the emirate councils dissolved after the Kano Emirates Council Law of 2019 was amended. The new legislation, enacted by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)-controlled House of Assembly, reversed the law former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje used in 2020 to create additional emirates and depose the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Governor Abba Yusuf finalized the dissolution by signing the amendment bill into law on Thursday, directing the emirs of the affected emirates, including Gaya’s Emir Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, to hand over their positions to Deputy Governor Abdulsalam Gwarzo, who oversees the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Residents reported that the dethroned emir vacated the palace at midnight on Thursday without any immediate signs of violence. Armed security personnel-maintained order in the town.
However, tensions escalated on Sunday morning when residents took to the streets with placards, chanting anti-government slogans and accusing the government of political motives.
“Some people are not happy with this development. It feels like an injustice to our community,” said Abubakar Shuaibu, a resident of Gaya.
Another protester, Aminu Abdullahi, 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 declared their allegiance to traditional leadership and demanded the reinstatement of the Gaya Emirate and its removed emir.
Governor Abba Yusuf has yet to respond to the protests. However, the government’s initial stance suggests that the dissolution aims to centralize control and streamline the traditional leadership structure in Kano State.
As the situation unfolds, affected communities are awaiting further clarification and potential resolutions from state authorities.