INEC Urged to Conduct Election to Resolve Kano Emirship Dispute

In an effort to resolve the ongoing tussle over the Kano Emirship, former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has suggested that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should conduct an election. The advice was shared via his X (formerly Twitter) handle.

This development follows a recent court ruling which invalidated the Kano Emirate Council (Amendment No. 2) Law, 2024. This law had dissolved four of the five emirate councils in Kano State and removed all five emirs, including Aminu Ado-Bayero of Kano. The court, presided over by Judge Abdullahi Liman, declared the appointment of Mr. Sanusi as the Kano emir null and void, citing the government’s failure to comply with a court order that prohibited any action on the new emirate council law.

Judge Liman criticized Governor Yusuf’s speech during the presentation of Mr. Sanusi’s reappointment letter, warning that it could lead to anarchy. He emphasized the importance of adhering to court orders to avoid chaos.

In response to the court’s decision, Shehu Sani proposed that INEC should step in to conduct an election between the two contending emirs. He humorously volunteered to serve as the returning officer and suggested the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) for the election.

“INEC should just be invited to conduct election for the two contending Emirs, I can volunteer to serve as the returning officer. Bivas can be used,” Sani wrote.

The suggestion aims to bring a democratic solution to the emirship dispute, ensuring that the rightful emir is chosen through a transparent and fair process. The proposal is yet to receive an official response from INEC or the state government.