The New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) has responded to criticisms by Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, a former speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly and chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Air Force.
Rurum had tackled the Kano State government for downgrading Rano Emirate to second-class status.
Rurum, representing Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure Federal Constituency, expressed his opposition during the commissioning of the Nigerian Airforce Girls' Boarding Secondary School in Rano on Sunday.
Elected under the NNPP after defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023, Rurum, who holds the traditional title of Turakin Rano, emphasised the historical and cultural importance of the Rano Emirate.
"I want to assure every citizen of Kano South that I strongly oppose the dissolution of our emirate. I stand firmly with our first-class Rano Emirate, and no one can demote us to a second-class status. This is a position bestowed upon us by God," he said.
Rurum underscored the emirate's rich heritage, stating, "We are the descendants of Autan Bawo, with a profound history in Hausaland. We understand the value and honour that God has granted us as the people of Rano."
The downgrading of the emirate followed a recent bill passed by the Kano State House of Assembly, officially dissolving all five emirate councils created by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. This legislative move established new second-class emirates in Rano, Gaya, and Karaye, each overseeing specific local government areas.
Before the dissolution, the Rano Emirate comprised 10 local governments: Rano, Kibiya, Bunkure, Kura, Tudun Wada, Doguwa, Sumaila, Takai, Garun Malam, and Bebeji. Under the new law, the jurisdiction of the second-class emirates will be limited to their respective local government areas, restructuring the traditional institutions.
Reacting to Rurum's stance, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, Chairman of the NNPP in Kano State, said the party respects the lawmaker's opinion.
"In a democratic dispensation, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. We support him because it's his stand, and we cannot change it for him. It has nothing to do with party affairs. He said his mind, and he is entitled to it," Dungurawa stated.
