We’ll Reconcile Ganduje, Sanusi – Sen Shekarau Assures
- Says on-going talks positive
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Former Kano State Governor and current Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has promised that efforts at resolving the lingering feud between Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II will be successful.
According to him, there are strong indications that a lasting solution would soon be found to address the no love lost relationship between the two personalities.
He revealed that at different times, talks have been held with both sides aimed at ending the perceived rift and misunderstanding in the best interest of Kano State.
Speaking in a recent interview with BBC Hausa service in London, Senator Shekarau, who governed Kano between 2003 and 2011, said as All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and a Senior palace official in Kano Emirate, he feels obliged to ensure an amicable resolution of the rift.
Declining to comments on what the state of things is at present, the lawmaker said it would be disrespectful to make the discussions public at this time.
Senator Shekarau, who holds the traditional title of Sardaunan Kano, admitted knowing the value of both the emirate and the government and will therefore keep working until both parties are fully reconciled.
The BBC interview is the first time that the former governor would be speaking on the feud, and according to him; “What you need to understand is, I’m a District Head in Kano Emirate and at the same time a chieftain in the APC, so I don’t have to publicise what we discuss.
“Reconciliation is like a disease, you can be infected in a day and end up spending years looking for its cure.
“As a former Governor and Sardaunan Kano for exactly ten years, I know both the crown and the government as I have dual experience.
“Remember, in our eight years governing Kano state, the late emir Ado Bayero said once said in over his over 50 years on the throne, there was never a time he enjoyed good working relationship with the state government than during our time.
“So, we are trying to use that experience to reconcile them, though I can’t make the efforts we are making public, but, we are surely doing something and I am confident the outcome will breed something good for Kano”, Shekarau added.
The misunderstanding between Governor Ganduje and Emir Sanusi further escalated in May 2019 when the Kano government created four additional emirates of Rano, Gaya, Bichi and in the state.
The development was considered by many as part of moves by Governor Ganduje’s administration resolve to whittle down the powers as well as undermine the authority and influence of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Despite insinuations and conjectures in some quarters, the Kano State government has consistently maintained that the new emirates were created to engender grassroot development rather than the current arrangement where things are generally concentrated in the city centre.
