Kano emirate crisis and peaceful resolution

Kano Emirate is one of the most influential traditional institutions in the country. It covers the entire Kano State with forty-four Local Government Areas and in each of the areas the Emirate is represented by a District Head. Although the Emirate has no executive, legislative or judicial functions it is still respected by the community […]

Kano Emirate is one of the most influential traditional institutions in the country. It covers the entire Kano State with forty-four Local Government Areas and in each of the areas the Emirate is represented by a District Head. Although the Emirate has no executive, legislative or judicial functions it is still respected by the community hence it possesses enormous social capital. It has successfully supported several revolutionary social programs such as universal primary education and mass immunization against several diseases especially polio in recent years. This is apart from its important role in maintaining communal peace in the society because of its grassroot network. Whenever there was any communal or national crisis the Emir always served as a wise counsellor. Despite the fact that it is subordinate to the State it is still an important partner in social development and cohesion. Hence the need for cooperation and mutual respect between the leadership of the two institutions.

In the last few weeks there have been reports of unease between the Governor of Kano State Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the Emir of Kano Malam Muhammad Sanusi II. The immediate cause of this was the Emir’s comment at the last Kaduna State Investment Forum. The Emir criticized the Kano State Government for its Light Rail Project because in his opinion it is not an economically viable project. Naturally the Kano State Government will not take lightly such a weighty criticism from a professional economist and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. The Government in its wisdom believes the Emir has the opportunity to offer professional advice not in public gathering but between him and the relevant government functionary. This public criticism would subject it to ridicule and possibly outright rejection by the people. We believe that the Emir as a public official should use all available channels to communicate with the State Government but not in public arena.

After this episode, series of media attacks were launched against the Emir. With rumours that he would be deposed.  Then suddenly a probe was initiated to investigate the finances of the Emirate Council and that the State Government plans to depose the Emir after the investigations. Some important personalities in and outside Kano State brokered a truce between the Governor and the Emir. The peace efforts were signs of maturity. However, rumours still persist that the probe would be transferred to the State House of Assembly to make it easier for the Government to depose the Emir and satisfy some vested interests. It is important for the Honourable Members to maintain the integrity of the House of Assembly and not allow themselves to be manipulated. Every Nigerian is against corruption. But the process of fighting corruption should never be used as a political tool because it will lose its credibility.

We are cautioning both the Governor and the Emir that crisis between the Emirate and the State has never been good for the people. It was one of the causes of the collapse of the First Republic and in the Second Republic it led to loss of lives and properties because of bloody riots. This is not good for Kano as the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria and not good for Nigeria as a whole. What we need now is peace in the country to enable Governments at all levels to implement their programs for social and economic transformation. 

We are calling on the Governor and the Emir to be partners in progress and role models for other states. This is because Kano State has all the potentials to become great and a source of inspiration for other Northern States. The Emir as a former Governor of the Central Bank has much to offer. We are aware of his position as the Chairman of Black Rhino Incorporated one of the largest energy companies in the world and their efforts to build power plants in Nigeria even in Kano. We believe this is more important than the rift between the two. They also need each other to build consensus to ensure social reforms that would: eradicate street begging by children out of school, promote girl child education and harness the state’s agricultural resources to eradicate poverty. Kano State is the most populous state in Nigeria therefore all those interested in the progress of this country must encourage the Governor and the Emir to work harmoniously in the overall collective interest of the country.

Umar can be reached at [email protected]