Northern governors move to reconcile Ganduje, Emir Sanusi in Kano

The outgoing chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF), Kashim Shettima, in Kaduna hinted of moves by the body to reconcile his Kano counterpart, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Responding to media reports that quoted him to have taken side in the Balkanisation of Kano Emirate crisis, Shettima maintained that he could not have done such as the feuding pair were dear to him.

The Borno chief executive, who made the clarification in the presence of Ganduje, stated: “The context of my remark was completely changed, but I normally do not confront journalists because they have been of strong support to me.

“The fact is that I could never have supported the development in Kano Emirate or spoken against the governor. Governor Ganduje and the Emir of Kano have done some things that eternally dear to the people of Borno, and to me in particular. ”

Shettima submitted that, “we governors have one unwritten policy. We don’t openly interfere with the issues of one another. We only play background roles to lobby and appeal.

“The northern governors did play a role sometime back over the same Kano Emirate and we are still working underground because I cannot dictate to Ganduje how he should run Kano State but we can work underground as bridge builders. God willing, the governor and the emir will come back together as one.”

He went on: “Governor Ganduje has adopted and granted lifetime scholarship from primary to university levels to 200 orphans from Borno whose parents were killed by Boko Haram. These children are provided with accommodation, feeding and very good ‎education in Kano State under a special welfare programme that the governor approved.

‎ “On the other hand, the Emir of Kano was our main link to Alhaji Aliko Dangote. In 2016, the emir was in Borno and on seeing the humanitarian situation, he spoke to Alhaji Dangote and the business mogul has been to my state more than three times.

“He has given the highest individual and private sector support to our humanitarian course and I will never forget that the Emir of Kano was the link. As CBN Governor, the emir brought the CBN entrepreneurship development centre to Borno State back (then) in 2013 or so.”