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Governor Ganduje Vs Emir Sanusi: Who Wins Battle For The Soul Of Kano?

Published

5 years ago

May 11, 2019

Eric

By Promise Oshewa

Long is the road of righteousness and truth and it is often tarred with the spikes of persecution, misrepresentation and falsehood. Yet at the end of the day it is the only road that is worth taking and it is the only one that leads to lasting honour and glory.

The Truth and nothing but the truth is at the centre of what could be the greatest battle of modern day Nigeria between Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II and Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje. And there is no doubt that head or tail, Kano will never be the same again.

In what has been called a discretion of an age-long traditional institution, Governor Ganduje in connivance with the Kano State House of Assembly has signed into a bill that has divided the Kano Emirate which covered the whole 44 local Government Areas to five. With Emir Sanusi now controlling a mere 8 local governments which includes the populous Kano Municipality.

This perhaps will be heavyweight battle of the highest order and there is no doubt that many heads will roll especially as the move by the Governor is widely seen as politically-motivated.

Emir Sanusi II is no stranger to controversy, the outspoken technocrat who has never been afraid to speak truth to power has always been in the forefront of bashing the elites for their selfish neglect of the poor and also knocked the poor for lack of family planning-both actions, he said has led to the alarming poverty rate in the country.

It will be recalled that while serving as the Governor of Central Bank, he boldly accused the Jonathan administration of corruption.

According to him, 20 billion US dollars had gone missing from the account of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and he made so much fuss about it.

His attacks were so loud that it led to a spat with the then coordinating minister of the economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the matter eventually led to Sanusi being suspended and relieved of his duties.

Carefully selecting his words, Sanusi who was not in the country at the time of the suspension heard of it and responded all the way from Niger Republic that; “you can suspend an individual but you can’t suspend the truth”. He then boarded a plane for Nigeria knowing full well that he could be arrested on arrival; He diverted his plan from landing in Abuja to Lagos where he was being awaited by Fmr. Minister of FCT Mallam Nasir El Rufai and friends. He was not arrested but his passport was seized.

In the whole missing money drama, after a forensic examination, Okonjo-Iweala later conceded that indeed money had gone missing from the NNPC but it was $10.5 billion and not the $20 that was mentioned.

But as fate will have it, his grand uncle, Alhaji Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano died and then he was crowned on 8^th June 2014 as the 14^th Emir of Kano. He was back at the top of national consciousness.

As Emir he has used his position to speak about various issues and sometimes his comments were deemed too controversial for a traditional ruler.

His palaver with the Kano State Government when the Kano state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission then opened a fresh probe on the alleged financial mismanagement in Kano Emirate Council under the watch of Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II.

The commission invited two of the Emirs uncles and brothers to answer questions on what they knew over alleged financial scandal rocking the Kano Emirate Council.

A letter signed by the Commission’s Director of operations, CSP Suleiman Aliyu Gusua invited an aide of the Emir, Alhaji Isa Bayero for investigation.

The letter written on behalf of the Commission Chairman, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado noted that Bayero was invited on alleged violation of section 26 of the Commission’s enabling law in the management of Kano State Emirate Fund.

In 2018, the same Commission had embarked on a large scale probe before the House of Assembly intervened.

It was in the midst of all these that an online news media, Daily Nigerian which has Jafar Jafar as Publisher began to release a series of videos which showed Governor Ganduje receiving dollars in cash from some people.

Jafar during a testimony before the Kano State House of Assembly were authentic and were as a result of a sting operation. He revealed that his outfit embarked on the project following complaints that Governor Ganduje was allegedly personally receiving kickbacks from contractors.

Of course the expose caused a furore around the nation, it became so band that the whole affair was dubbed the Gandollar scandal and the Kano State House of Assembly began a probe which was eventually stopped by a court.

Of course, Emir Sanusi never commented about the embarrassing affair but his body language spoke volumes. He was scandalized and embarrassed and therefore it was no surprise that during the gubernatorial elections he avoided Governor Ganduje-a sign that some said meant he was supporting his opponent, PDP’s Abba Yusuf. That was when the battle line was drawn.

It was not therefore shocking when after a hard-fought victory that included a supplementary election, supporters of Ganduje began to pull down the pictures of Emir Sanusi from Government House.

The latest twist in the tail was like a cowboy movie. It began like a joke but in no time shots were being fired from all corners.

Without any hint,Kano State House of Assembly initiated a bill to amend the Emirate law following a petition filed before the House by Ibrahim Salisu Chambers.

The Petitioner demanded an upgrading of some traditional rulers to the status of first class Emirs and went further to seek the creation of four additional emirates councils: Karaye, Bichi, Rano and Gaya.

After just a day of deliberations, the Kano State House of Assembly passed the bill without any modification and the Governor soon also signed the law.

In an interview aired on Channels TV yesterday, Governor Ganduje noted that he had nothing personal against Emir Sanusi that he was merely carrying out the wishes of the people.

For good measure, he noted that the Emir should actually be discussing with a local govenment Chairman according to the Law and that such affairs were not the concern of a governor.

According to him “We are taking Kano to the next level and we need the active participation of the traditional system, especially in the areas of education, security, agriculture,” he said.

“By decentralising the emirate, we followed history. Years back, the situation was not like that. “So if something developed 800 years ago, things are also developing now and there will be another 800 years. So look at the history. So, it is not vendetta, I am not against him (Sanusi). In fact, he is supposed to be reporting to the local government chairman according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “It is the local government chairman that is supposed to discuss issues with him, not the governor” he concluded.

He also claimed that the balkanization of the age-long Kano Emirate into smaller units had been a subject of celebration by the people, claiming that the emergence of the new emirates would make traditional system effective in the development of Kano State.

According to the final amended copy of the law Emir Sanusi was allocated Kano Municipal, Tarauni, Dala, Nassarawa, Fagge, Gwale, Kumbutso and Ungogo Local Government Areas.

Bichi Emirate has nine local governments: Bichi, Bagwai, Tsanyawa, Kunchi, Makoda, Danbatta, Dawakin Tofa, Tofa and Minijibir.

Rano Emirate has 10 local governments: Rano, Bunkure, Kibiya, Takal, Sumaila, Kura, Dogowa, Tudun Wadam Bebeji and Garun Malam

Gaya Emirate has ten local govennments including Gaya, Ajingi, Gabasawa, Garko, Wudil, Albasu, Ajingi, Gezawa and Dawakin Kudu

Karaye Emirate has eight including: Karaye, Rogo, Gwarzo, Kabo, Rimin Gado, Madobi, Kiru and Shanono.

According to Section 4 (2) of the amended law, the Chairman of the Council of Traditional rulers shall be rotational.

“Chairman of the council shall serve for a period of 2 years; sequence of which is to be determined by the Governor”. The new law also confers right of dynasty of Kano Emirate to both Kano and Bichi Emirates.

Already reactions have begun as a result of this new law. Sources have revealed that some of those pencilled down to become Emirs have refused although a swearing and presentation of staff office has been scheduled today.

Also yesterday, four prominent Islamic scholars have tendered their letters of resignation to the Governor. While a court has ordered the Governor to stay action on setting up the new Emirates.

According to a Statement by the Kano State Commissioner of Information, the new Emirs will be installed at the Sani Abacha stadium today, Alahji Aminu Ado Bayero will be new Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Tafida Abubakar II, will become Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdukadir Gaya, Emir of Gaya and Dr Ibrahim Abubakar II, will become Emir of Rano.

Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo was one of the first to send a solidarity message to Emir Sanusi, taking to his official twitter page he wrote :”We will not be in power forever” with picture of Emir Sanusi and the hashtag #itandwithEmirSanusi

Other reactions were:

@Adeyanjudeji “When tyranny went after Saraki & NASS, what did Emir Sanusi say? When they broke into judges’ homes at night, what did he say? When they went after Onnoghen, what did he say? When they went after Zakzaky, what did he say? Like I always say, the tyranny is enough to go round.”

@Ogbenidipo “Ganduje tore apart an institution created in 1805 because of political differences. Shows how desperate some of these people are. They’re willing to pull the building down just to have their way. I feel sorry for Emir Sanusi.”

@Yunggeorge5582 “Sanusi is reaping the seed of discord sir. I can’t forget how he lambasted anx victimized Goodluck Jonathan then. He should just get a chill drink and relax over this issue.”

@CeoOgu “I think Sanusi deserves worse. He collapsed banks out of selfish interest and left the one bank that was and still not liquid(Unity Bank) because its a Northern bank. “

@Tinkizee2 “Why not just dethrone him instead of this nonsense ? Why destroy years of legacy and tradition over a petty fight?

@Kemdirimmaria “I believe HRM Sanusi Lamido Sanusi will come out stronger than his traducers. My thoughts even though it is very late, is that he wld hv aspired to rule Nig at the highest level. With his wealth of experience, he would have brought about significant changes for the betterment of Nigeria.”

@EnigmaticDan “They are not destroying Sanusi, rather they are destroying the century-long culture and tradition of Kano all for the sake of politics.”

@WaleSupo “HRH Sanusi is not being destroyed. Ganduje is just writing his name in the book of history as the destroyer of Kano Emirate.If you’d trace the lineage of Ganduje, he won’t even be a Nigerian talk less of a Kano citizen.”

Headline

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Prioritize Existing Unfinished Projects, Peter Obi Tells FG

Published

1 day ago

April 22, 2024

Eric

Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has advised the federal government to prioritize existing unfinished projects spread across the country instead of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

Obi, in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, stated that the project was a misplaced priority given the numerous unfinished roads throughout the country.

The former governor of Anambra State mentioned that the budget allocated to the Ministry of Works is insufficient for significant progress on the country’s various unfinished roads, much less their completion.

Obi therefore, advised that the government prioritize the existing infrastructural projects in the country before embarking on any new and colossal projects like the Lagos-Calabar super highway project.

“The Federal Ministry of Works 2024 capital budget of N892,461,262,656.00, additional funding from multilateral loan projects of N94,828,535,243.00, alongside other expected contributions from sources like the China-Exim Bank and the World Bank, will not be enough for serious work on all the critical roads, some of which I enumerated above, let alone their completion.

So, why embark on another huge project that will not be completed in the next 20 or 30 years?

“To do so will only exacerbate the problem of abandoned, uncompleted projects that are not contributing to economic growth and overall development.

“Therefore, while acknowledging the potential benefits of coastal superhighway infrastructure, I urge prioritization of our existing uncompleted projects. We must allocate resources towards repairing and completing existing infrastructure.

“In any development formula, the primary focus should be on completing and rehabilitating existing infrastructure rather than embarking on colossal new projects that may never reach completion within the next 30 years,” Obi said.

Back in March, the Federal Government began constructing the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, designed to extend through 9 states with two spurs leading to the Northern States.

Recall that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, had earlier described the project as a fraud.

“Umahi had announced that Hitech would fully fund the project, and based on this, there was no competitive bidding. He (Umahi) then said that Hitech could only raise just 6% of the money for the pilot phase. This smacks of deceit,” Atiku said.

Headline

2027 Presidential Race: Opposition Parties Under Attack

Published

2 days ago

April 21, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

While it is still a whole three years before the next general election in 2027, The Boss has learnt that opposition parties in the countries are being muffled to pave the way for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to, and retain power.

From the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the Labour Party (LP), and down to the New Nigerian Peoples Paty (NNPP), crises have engulfed the rank and files, in what a source told this paper was the attempt and making of the ruling party, APC, to decimate, destabilize and make redundant the machineries of the opposition parties.

It is believed that by 2027, the apparatuses holding together the various opposition parties would have weakened irredeemably to the extent the country would seemingly nosedive into the inglorious one party state that every civil right advocate and democrats abhor.

It is alleged that all the crises in all the opposition parties are being engineered by the President Bola Tinubu-led ruling APC, with the hope of getting the fibres of their system weakened, thereby luring the members of the crisis-ridden parties into the APC.

Slightly one year after the last presidential election, the two major opposition platforms, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party, have separately been embroiled in a crisis of confidence which has diminished their capacity to provide viable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The crises in both opposition parties got to a head. The Labour Party led by its national chairman Julius Abure held its much-opposed national convention which was boycotted by its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; its only governor, Alex Otti of Abia State; federal and state lawmakers elected on its platform, and the organised Labour.

In the Labour Labour, members have been embroiled in endless battle of supremacy with a faction led by Mr. Apapa steadily contesting the leadership of Julius Abure.

Consequently, the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, reverence as a leader in the fold, noting that whatever the party faces presently, that Nigeria’s problems are far bigger than the crises in his party.

The LP has been embroiled in crises — ranging from allegations of misappropriation of funds, and leadership tussle, to calls for the resignation of the party’s national chairman.

TheCable reported that “On March 27, the LP conducted a national convention in Anambra state where Julius Abure was re-elected as its national chairman.

Obi did not attend the convention, fuelling speculations that he may be mulling over ditching the LP for another platform.

Speaking during an appearance on HaveYourSay247, an interactive online session hosted by Rudolf Okonkwo over the weekend, Obi said he is confident that the crises rocking the LP will soon be resolved amicably.

“Whatever is happening in the Labour Party is so minute compared to what is happening in the country,” Obi said.

“So, for me, it is something we will resolve amicably, and it is not anything to worry about. Let us worry about the country.

“Let us worry about how the average Nigerian would be able to have a means of livelihood to be able to eat, that should be our worry.”

Obi said he has no interest in being the party’s leader but only to make sure things are done properly.

“I don’t see what I do in politics as being the leader of any place or not. My position is that just like I always say, I am not desperate to be president of Nigeria, I am desperate to see Nigeria work because I know it can work,” he added.

“We have a more desperate situation. Parties are just a means to be able to contest elections. What is important is that being a leader of a party does not reduce the price of food.

In the PDP, the shenanigans of former Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has practically kept the party in constant crisis with many observers concluding that the now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is working for the APC, and is just a mole in the PDP. Wike has denied the allegation, however,

But news filtered in last week as that the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, and Minister may have concluded plans to attend the much advertised National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), billed to hold on Thursday, in Abuja.

Impeccable source, who is in the know, told The Boss that the minister, whose membership of the PDP is yet to be revoked even as he frolicks with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and serving in the President Bola Tinubu government as a minister.

The Source told The Boss that Wike’s impending presence at the NEC meeting on Thursday was not unconnected with plans, already hatched with some governors, to weaken the opposition PDP.

“Yes, we have on good authority that FCT minister, Wike is planning to attend the NEC meeting tomorrow all in a bid to weaken the fabrics of the PDP, and pave the way for the continuation of the Tinubu administration come 2027, and by extension, relapse Nigeria to a full blown one party state.

“From every indication, Wike and his co-travellers, are bent on unleashing the same crisis ravaging the third force, Labour Party, and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s Nigerian National People’s Party (NNPP) on the PDP for the APC to remain the only political party in the country, and ensure that Tinubu has no challenger, come 2027,” the Source said.

It would be recalled that Wike has boasted over and again that there’s no opposition against Tinubu’s re-emergence in 2027, and that they have made sure of that. He has been compensated with the Ministerial job after he withdrew support for his party, and supported the APC and Tinubu to emerge as national government.

The Source further revealed that in the attempt to actualize the intended one party state, a lot of funding is ongoing to ensure that concerned stakeholders are ‘settled’ handsomely.

Wike, prior, during and after the 2023 general elections, has been floating in between the two major political parties; the APC and the PDP. While he claim to still be a member of the PDP, he is functioning as a minister in an APC government, mocking the inability of his party to discipline him.

While political stakeholders concluded that the outcome of the Thursday’s PDP NEC meeting will determine the path Nigeria’s political trajectory will take, and that it may portend the end of multi-party system and political democracy if Wike succeeds in his plan; every page of what finally transpired at the meeting pointed to the fact.

The much touted removal of the party chairman, who is believed to be a crony of the Abuja minister, Damagum, retained his seat, with his executives.

“It is very clear to everyone that a lot of money politics is being played to cajole many loyal members of the party, forcing them into frustration, and eventually it of the party. The option afterwards, will be the APC. This, will for all intent and purpose actualize the intended one party state as an APC agenda.

The Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso-led NNPP is not faring better either. The only governor under their ticket, Abba Kabir Yusuf, just had the confidence of their party on him withdrawn. He was fighting for his political life until suddenly it was announced the the APC in Kano has collapsed its structure into the NNPP.

“This is just another APC strategy to actualize their hidden intentions. Time will reveal the very sinister agenda they harboring,” an analyst said.

Much as 2027 is still three years away, but intrigues are in play to render Nigeria a one party state, and perpetuate the APC in power. The three other opposition parties are basically under attack to bring to pass this unpopular agenda.

Headline

Akwa Ibom Government, Governor Umo Eno Receive Top Honors at the 10th Wonders of the World Expo in Lagos

Published

3 days ago

April 21, 2024

Admin

The Akwa Ibom State Government and Governor Pastor Umo Eno were recognized with Travellers Awards at the 10th Wonders of the World Expo in Lagos for their sustained enhancement of infrastructure, support for local talent, and dedication to investment in the tourism sector. The ceremony took place at the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos.

While Akwa Ibom won the Most Active Tourism State of the Year, Governor Eno was adjudged the most Tourism-Friendly Governor of the Year at the event that had Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade John in attendance.

According to Amb. Ikechi Uko, Founder/Publisher of ATQ Magazine, the organizers of the event which is in its tenth edition, Akwa Ibom State won the top prize “in recognition of its valiant and resourceful efforts to drive and sustain domestic tourism by promoting the industry.

‘In 2023, Akwa Ibom was one of the states that hosted World Tourism Day (WTD ) events. The state also organized the famous Christmas Unplugged, which featured music, food, and cultures from all 31 LGAs as well as ensured friendly policies.”

While hoping that the Travellers Awards would spur Akwa Ibom to do more to dominate the domestic tourism industry, the organizers hoped that the state would gradually evolve into one of Nigeria’s top international tourism destinations.

That was not all, the state Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh was also recognized as one of the Top 100 Tourism Personalities in Nigeria for demonstrating exceptional leadership and innovation in the travel and tourism industry, while other Akwa Ibom indigenes and entity were also celebrated: Mrs. Ime Udo, Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor( Tourism) won Tourism Promoter of the Year, Favour Udo won Tourism Photographer of the Year, Loretta Effiong and Prince Uduak Sunday (Qua Tours) were listed among the Tourism Personalities of the Year and Ibom Air won Airline of the Year International.

In his remarks, Sir Charles Udoh, who represented the Governor at the event, thanked the organizers for the awards and noted that Akwa Ibom is certainly enjoying the golden era when it comes to tourism development. He stated that Governor Umo Eno is very keen on making Akwa Ibom a leading tourism destination with his programmes and policies.

He revealed that with the new Victor Attah International Airport nearing completion, the purchase of a ferry for the Oron-Calabar route, new developments along its coastline and the restoration work that will be done at all its major tourism sites, Akwa Ibom is well on the way to becoming the number one destination for all domestic and foreign tourists.

In her speech, Tourism Minister, Mrs. Ade John hailed the organizers for hosting the Expo, where practitioners were lectured by top experts while also rewarding those who have excelled in the past year.

She affirmed that her ministry is open to partnership with public and private sector operators, adding that tourism development can only be successful through collaborative efforts.

The event, which attracted leading and budding tourism professionals, also featured interactive and entertainment sessions.

Apart from Sir Charles Udoh and Mrs. Ime Udo, the Akwa Ibom State delegation, also included: Mr. Michael Effiong James, Senior Special Assistant (Lagos Liaison) to Governor, Mrs. Eme Bassey, Special Assistant to Governor (Lagos Liaison) and Akparawa John Offiong, Deputy Director ( Culture) Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

More photos below: