Kano State Governor, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has admitted that he was under immense pressure for three days from different quarters over who should succeed the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero.
Kwankwaso disclosed this while presenting the letter of appointment to the new Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, in Government House, Kano, yesterday, saying all the contestants of the coveted seat were qualified.
But as the governor was speaking youths who had been angered over the choice of Sanusi continued their protest in the ancient city monday, forcing the closure of some private and public schools.
As the police in the city stood by, the youths also barricaded the roads round the emir’s palace preventing entry or exit from the seat of the emirate.
Expectedly, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) exchanged barbs over the protests in Kano, with both parties blaming each other for inciting violence in the state.
Speaking at the Government House, Kwankwaso said it was a difficult task to choose from one of the contenders for the Kano throne because they are all close to the government, stressing that a leader must take a decision no matter the consequences of that decision, adding that failing to take a decision would spell doom for the state.
“It was a difficult decision, all the contestant are friends of the government. There is not one among them that is an enemy of the government. If it was possible to divide the position of the emir into six and share it among all the contestants I would have done that but it was not possible.
“There are people even in my government that inherited the position but we have to choose one. As a governor, I must perform my responsibility as a governor and take a decision if not things will go bad,” he explained.
He further revealed that contrary to claims in some quarters that the new emir’s name was not among the nominees submitted to him, he said the name of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor was at the top on the list of contenders.
The governor cautioned those fomenting trouble to desist from it in the interest of peace of the state, stating that Allah gives power to whosoever he wishes, while admonishing citizens to take the emergence of Sanusi as the will of Allah.
In his acceptance speech, the new emir pledged to sustain the legacies of his predecessor, adding that his reign would place a premium on upholding the dignity of Kano people, just as he would work with the government to ensure the sustenance of peace and the protection of lives and property.
Sanusi debunked reposts that since he was announced as the new emir a schism had occurred in the Kano Emirate Council, stressing that all players in the council are part of his team.
He also pointed out that the family of the late emir and his own family are one, adding: “Our family and the late Bayero’s are one family. I grew up under the late Bayero’s tutelage. I grew up along with the children of the late emir, Ado Bayero.
“We are appealing to people to stop discussions on what they don’t know. This protest is not from our family. Our relatives cannot ignite this protest in Kano.”
His appeal notwithstanding, irate youths opposed to his emergence as the 14th Fulani Emir of Kano took to the streets yesterday morning forcing the closure of some private and public schools.
The youths in their hundreds, set bonfires along the Emir Palace Road holding green leaves while chanting “bamuayi”.
A number of schools remained shut in the city while additional security was beefed up at banks’ premises.
Although the protests were concentrated within the old city, millions of residents elected to stay indoors for fear of getting molested.
In Sabon Gari, a predominantly Christian neighbourhood, business activities suffered, as most shops were closed for fear of looting by protesters.
Some youths were also seen burning used tyres at the intersection of Gidan Shettima, adjacent to the south gate of the emir’s palace and on the stretch of road beside the residence of Alhaji Tijani Hashim (Galadiman Kano) and Hasiya Bayero Hospital, linking the intersection with the west gate up to the junction leading to Kano Central Prison.
At each point, they sometimes extorted money from motorists, following which they were allowed to pass.
There was no police presence at both the south and west gates of the palace, and even where policemen were stationed they just looked on as the youths carried on setting up bonfires and extorting money from motorists.
Sourced: Daily Post
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