Ganduje Speaks On Balkanization Of Kano Emirate

Abdullahi Ganduje, Kano State governor, has broken his silence after being accused of initiating moves aimed at dethroning Lamido Sanusi, the embattled emir of the state.

Mr Ganduje, re-elected for a second term in office was reportedly not supported by Mr Sanusi, during the 2019 general election.

This was due to political differences between the duo. But a new twist was added to it on Wednesday when lawmakers of the state assembly initiated and passed a bill seeking to create adding four new emirates.

The governor was fingered as the arrowhead of the plan when he gave his assent the bill on Thursday.

Speaking to State House Correspondents on Friday, the governor denied he had anything against the monarch.

He said there was need to create the additional emirates because he is moving the state to the next level and traditional institutions in the state have a vital role to play.

“They are entitled to their own opinion but 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,” Ganduje said his attention was drawn to the comments of critics who believes the aim of the additional emirates is to whittle down the influence of the former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“Kano needs the effectiveness of the traditional rulers. By decentralising it, we are following history. Years back even before the 800 years you are referring to, the situation was not 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. 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 said.