Nigeria’s former military head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has been appointed the head of a committee to intervene in the ongoing emirates crisis in Kano State, an official has stated.
The 11-member committee also includes two state governors, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and Aminu Masari of Katsina. Both governors are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), same as the Kano State governor, Umar Ganduje.
Other eight members of the committee are influential northerners who have held top positions in private and public practice.
The Details of the 11-member committee were contained in a statement signed by Adamu Fika, the Wazirin Fika of Yobe State.
Recall that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje broke the powerful Kano emirate into five emirates and appointed four other first-class emirs in May.
Before the new law under Ganduje’s administration in the state was put in place, the emir of Kano was the only first-class emir in the state.
Many observers have alleged that the creation of the new emirates was to whittle down the influence of the current Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, who had been critical of Mr Ganduje’s administration on areas of governance.
However, the governor defended his actions saying the move was to fulfil the popular demand of the people of Kano State.
Gov. Ganduje also disclosed last week that he was considering a request by some groups to dethrone Emir Sanusi.
In his statement on Sunday, Mr Fika said the new committee headed by Mr Abubakar was “formed to intervene in the crisis, with a view to bringing about full reconciliation and effective resolution of the matter.”
“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,” he wrote.
Read Mr Fika’s full statement below
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.
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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:
Alh. Adamu Fika, Wazirin Fika, CFR
Gen. Muhammadu Inuwa Wushishi, CFR, GCON
Alh Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN
Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, OFR, CFR
Dr. Umaru Mutallab, CON
Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, CFR
Sheikh Sharif Ibrahim Saleh
Dr. Adamu Fika – 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.
Thank you, all. (Signed)
Adamu Fika
Wazirin Fika
