Four clerics resign from Ganduje's government over his plans to turban four new emirs

FOUR prominent Islamic scholars have resigned from the government of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in response to his recent decision to carve of the Kano emirate into four over his disagreements with Emir Lamido Sanusi.

Over recent weeks, Governor Ganduje and Emir Sanusi have been involved in a public spat over the traditional rulers decision not to back during the last general elections. Governor Ganduje has asked anti-graft agencies to probe the finances of the Kano emirate and has now decided to follow this up by carving it into four places in a bid to reduce the emir's influence.

According to political insiders, Governor Ganduje is not happy about the fact that the emir backed his political rival during the last Kano State gubernatorial elections. However, the governor's decision to reduce the emir's influence is not going down well with many of the custodians of Kano culture as they see him destroying a traditional institution over a personal vendetta.

Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, the commander-general. of Hisbah, the Kano State religious police and Abba Koki, the chairman of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, have both tendered their resignation. Other leading clerics who have also resigned include Abubakar Kandahar, the permanent commissioner of the Kano State Shariah Commission and Nazifi Inuwa, the head of the Hubsi Commission.

In their resignation letters, Sheikhs Daurawa, Inuwa and Kandahar all cited personal reasons for their action while Sheikh Koki said he resigned on health grounds. They are all unhappy about the fact that the four new emirate heads will have the same first class status as Emir Sanusi.

Among the new emirs appointed by Governor Ganduje include Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the son of the late emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, who will head the Bichi Emirate. Alhaji Bayero is currently the Wamban Kano and a senior member at the Kano Emirate Council presided over by Emir Sanusi.

Governor Ganduje also appointed three other emirs for Gaya, Rano and Karaye emirates. The emir of Gaya is Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkadir Gaya, the emir of Rano is Alhaji Tafida Abubakar Ila, while the Emir of Karaye is Alhaji Ibrahim Abukakar.

These new monarchs were to be officially turbaned today, Saturday 11 May at the Sani Abacha Stadium. However, a state high court has ordered this be halted, directing all parties to maintain the status quo, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.