The Peace Committee set up to reconcile the governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje and the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II over the lingering controversy caused as a result of additional emirate councils created by the former has got the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The committee headed by former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar was recently formed to placate the two parties whose feud has almost brought Kano to a standstill, something which has continued to generate concerns at the level of the presidency.
It would be recalled that on May 8, Ganduje signed the law establishing four additional emirates with first class emirs in Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya that were hitherto under the control of the Kano Emirate Council. The law was reported to have been hurriedly passed by the assembly within three days, in a move widely viewed as an attempt to whittle down the influence of the Emir by the Governor.
Due to the controversy over the emirates’ creation, the then Minority Leader of the House, Rabiu Gwarzo, filed a case challenging the legality of the procedure that led to the passage of the law.
Justice Umar Na’abba of a Kano High Court on November 8 delivered a judgement, dissolving the emirates and sacking the emirs.
The court judgement notwithstanding, on December 5, Ganduje again assented to a new Kano Emirates Council Law 2019 hours after it was passed on the same day by the Kano State House of Assembly.
According to a statement released by the secretary to the peace committee, Adamu Fika, the committee’s move is being backed by the federal government and had since met with both the governor and emir, who were said to have agreed to a stay of action on all issues raised.
Among the members of the high-profile committee are governors, top diplomats and elder statesmen skilled in conflict resolution.
The committee statement reads: “Against the background of the crisis in Kano, a matter that has since degenerated into serious tension within the State, with likely consequences on peace and security with the possibility of spilling into neighbouring states, a group of elders, under the chairmanship of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR has been formed to intervene in the crisis, with a view to bringing about, full reconciliation, and effective resolution of the matter.
“Two State Governors are also members of the committee. These are Gov. Kayode Fayemi (who is also the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum) and Gov. Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State.
“Other members of the Committee are Gen. Muhammadu Inuwa Wushishi, CFR, GCON
“Alh Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN; Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, OFR; Dr. Umaru Mutallab, CON; Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, CFR; Sheikh Sharif Ibrahim Saleh and; Dr. Adamu Fika, Wazirin Fika, CFR as Secretary.
“The committee is working with the full understanding and cooperation of the Federal Government and initial contact has been made with His Excellency the Governor of Kano, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as well as with His Highness the Emir of Kano, Sarki Muhammadu Sanusi II.
“They have each confirmed to holdback from taking any further actions until the committee has fully undertaken and finalised this exercise of reconciliation and resolution. Similarly, they each has respectively undertaken to call on all their supporters and sympathisers including social media operators to refrain from making statements, declarations, songs, articles, blogs and all actions inimical to the spirit and process of good governance, order and reconciliation. We call on everyone to hearken to the call of their principals.
“May God Almighty continue to bless our country, grant us greater peace and prosperity, and may He bless, guide and protect our leaders. Amin.”
