Governors can’t openly interfere, Shettima on Ganduje-Emir Sanusi conflict

Borno state Gorvernor, Kashim Shettima has revealed that the Northern Governors had made secret efforts to quell the tension over Kano Emirate.

Gov. Shettima disclosed this in a chat with newsmen after the Northern Governors’ meeting on Friday. He stated that governors cannot openly interfere in the rift between Kano Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and Emir Muhammadu Sanusi.

Recall that Ganduje signed into law the creation of four additional Emirates in Kano State to downsize the influence of Emir Sanusi.

According to Shettima, the development was saddening as he had special relationship that makes him indebted to both Governor Ganduje and Emir Sanusi.

Shettima said: “Governor Ganduje and his highness, the Emir of Kano have done some things that eternally dear to the people of Borno, to me in particular.

“Governor Ganduje has adopted and granted lifetime scholarship from primary to University levels to 200 orphans from Borno State whose parents were killed by Boko Haram.

READ ALSO: Borno is safer than Abuja, Zamfara, other volatile states –Gov Shettima

“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 Aliko Dangote and Dangote has been to Borno State more than 3 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 center to Borno State back in 2013 or so.

“He helped in raising global local and global awareness to our situation in Borno. I will never forget the empathy shown to us by the Emir of Kano as well as Governor Ganduje and this is why I play the role of a bridge builder.

“And then, 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.

“I cannot dictate to Ganduje how he should run Kano but we can work underground as bridge builders. God willing the Governor and the Emir will come back together as one”, Shettima said.

Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong emerged the new chairman of the Northern Governors Forum. He is taking over from Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, whose four year tenure has just ended.

Shettima noted that the election of the Plateau governor was based on the peace and harmony he has brought to the people of his state.

He said the forum has the confidence that Lalong would continue to build on the achievements of its past leaders.

Parts of the Communique issued at the end of the meeting read, “The Northern States Governor’s Forum convened a meeting to deliberate on the major issues affecting the Northern States and the nation at large, particularly the current challenges of insecurity which seems to be deteriorating, despite concerted efforts by the Federal and State Governments.

“The Forum deliberated extensively on the nature of the insecurity currently bedevilling the region and various ways and means of dealing with the situation.

“In order to tackle the challenges holistically in an all-encompassing manner, the Forum set up a Committee under the chairmanship of the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari to inter-alia develop a comprehensive regional plan of action that could bring lasting solutions to the lingering crises.

“The Forum, according to the Communique’ “elected the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong as the New Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum with effect from May 29, 2019.”

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