The March 9, 2019, governorship election in Kano State was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Since then, inconclusive election became a political lexicon that dominated the airwaves in the state.
The governorship election largely conducted in an orderly manner ended in anti-climax with party agents exchanging salvos at the INEC Collation Center.
From this time, the word ‘inconclusive’ became a political lexicon in public discourse. Governor Abdullahi Ganduje later won the rerun election on March 23rd.
On May 9, Kano State House of Assembly passed the Emirs Appointment and Deposition Amendment Bill 2019 and on the same day, the Governor signed the bill into law creating four new emirates of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye. A move many said is aimed at reducing the influence of Emir Muhammad Sanusi, who often times is critical of some government policies.
The law was subject of litigations in various courts. Justice Usman Na’abba, on November 21, declared the law null and void, prompting the state government to begin a new process that culminated into passing and signing of new Kano Emirates Council Bill into law on December 5.
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal headed by Justice Halima Shamaki was inaugurated in June and by October, it completed its assignment, dismissing the Peoples Democratic Party petition saying prayers in the petition were not grantable.
A lion escaped from its cage at the Kano Zoo on October 19, creating panic among residents. It, however, returned to its cage two days later after killing four goats and two ostriches in the zoo.
