Kano’s Independent Hisbah Board Plan Sparks Controversy, Declared Illegal

The proposed creation of an independent Hisbah board in Kano State has been declared illegal by founding stakeholders, who warn that the move could spark division and threaten the state’s fragile peace. The controversy surrounds former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s announcement to establish an independent Hisbah squad, widely viewed as a political maneuver that has drawn sharp criticisms and sparked heated debates.

The Kano State Hisbah Stakeholders Forum, led by Professor Mu’azzam Maibushira, argues that the move undermines the existing unified Hisbah framework, fueling concerns over legal authority and potential divisions in Kano’s religious and security landscape. Speaking at a briefing in Kano, Maibushira voiced strong opposition to the standalone Hisbah, saying it violates the law and risks causing disunity, instability, and security challenges in the state.

The forum’s consensus followed a meeting with former Hisbah leaders, their deputies, and past secretaries, who reviewed the legal basis for the existing Hisbah board established by the Kano State House of Assembly. Maibushira emphasized that setting up another Hisbah board is redundant and unlawful, linking the push to actions by Ganduje that could fuel internal conflicts without benefits. The stakeholders urge the government to respect the existing framework to maintain peace and stability in the state.