Disturbed by the lingering dispute between Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II over alleged political differences leading into the split of the ancient Kano Emirate into five, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has resolved to intervene in the crisis.
Kano Focus reports that the intervention of the NEF, under the leadership of Professor Ango Abdullahim came amidst a fresh controversy over an ultimatum issued by Mr Ganduje to Emir Sanusi on the chairmanship of the Kano Council of Chiefs.
The ultimatum was contained in a letter sighted by KANO FOCUS dated December 19, and signed by Musa Yahaya Bichi, Permanent Secretary Special Duties on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government.
“His Excellency the Executive Governor is requesting His Highness the Emir of Kano to indicate his ACCEPTANCE or OTHERWISE of his appointment as the CHAIRMAN of Kano State Council of Chiefs as conveyed vide letter No SSG/REPA/S/A/86/T and dated 9th December 2019.
“The acceptance or otherwise should reach his excellency the executive governor of Kano state within two days of the receipt of this letter.” It said.
However, even though another letter said to have emanated from the Kano Emirate indicating Mr Sanusi’s acceptance of the governor’s offer, circulated on social media, it is still unclear whether the monarch has agreed to chair the council of chiefs as the Emirate Council has not officially confirmed the purported acceptance letter.
‘Unforeseen circumstances’
But in a letter sent dated 15 December, 2019 and addressed to Walin Kano, Mahe Bashir, Professor Abdullahi, said the NEF is “deeply disturbed by the current dimension taken by the escalating misunderstanding between the Kano state governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II and some sections of the Kano elite”.
“The crisis, we are afraid, is pregnant with unforeseen circumstances that ultimately threaten the integrity of the entire Kano traditional institution, overall peace and security of the state and by extension the cohesion of the northern region.
“Subsequent upon this concern, the Northern Elders Forum, has resolved to mobilize eminent northern personalities, elders and all categories of leaders and stakeholders in the north to intervene and find lasting solution to the matter,” the letter, seen by Kano Focus read.
Professor Abdullahi said the meeting to resolve the dispute would take place at Tahir Guest Palace on Sunday, December 22, 2019.
“While in Kano, the team shall hold interactions with Kano elders and critical stakeholders, the Emir Sunusi and the Governor of Kano.
“I wish to inform you that in view of your relevance and the eminent position in the Kano Emirate Council, you have been selected among the personalities that the delegation will interact with on Sunday, 22 December, 2019 at Tahir Guest Palace Majestic Hall by 12 noon.
“It is our sincere hope that this intervention would finally get to the root of the matter and find a lasting solution with mutual understanding and respect so that the state can move on,” the letter added.
