Residents of Gaya in Kano State on Sunday took to the streets to protest against the dissolution of the Gaya Emirate by the state government.
Gaya Emirate is among the emirate councils recently dissolved by the Kano State Government after the Kano Emirates Council Law of 2019 was amended.
The new law, enacted by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)-controlled House of Assembly, undid the law that former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje used in 2020 to create the additional emirates and dethrone the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The dissolution of the emirate councils was finalised when Governor Abba Yusuf signed the amendment bill into law on Thursday and ordered the emirs of the affected emirates, including Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, Emir of Gaya, to hand over to Deputy Governor Abdulsalam Gwarzo. Gwarzo oversees the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Residents reported that the dethroned emir vacated the palace at midnight on Thursday, with no immediate signs of violence or resistance. Armed security personnel were present in the town, maintaining order.
Protesters expressing their dissatisfaction with the dissolution of the Gaya Emirates
However, the situation took a turn on Sunday morning when residents took to the streets, wielding placards and chanting anti-government songs.
They accused the government of political motives behind the dissolution and demanded the reinstatement of their emirate and the removed emir.
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