From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has exonerated the Kano Emirate Council from alleged land racketeering, insisting that the Kano Emirate followed due process before construction of shops near the Kofarmata Eid-prayer Ground.
The AUTHORITY reports that the Kano Emirate Council recently came under attack by aggrieved individuals who accused it of allegedly selling off part of the Kofarmata Eid-prayer ground for commercial purposes.
But Governor Ganduje has condemned such insinuations, pointing out that those spreading the news, “are saying it out of ignorance and fruetration.”
Ganduje spoke at Africa House, Kano Government House, on Saturday, while receiving the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and his entourage, during the traditional Hawan Nassarawa, (homage to the Governor), as part of activities to mark the Eid-el-Fitr.
Ganduje insisted that the Kano Emirate followed due process before the construction of shops near the Kofarmata Eid-prayer ground.
According to him, “where are those who are saying that the Emirate Council was wrong, when decision to construct shops around Eid-Prayer ground was taken and implemented? They should go to Haram Mosque in Meccah and see how the Mosque is surrounded with shops of all types.
“The Emirate followed all the due process before giving out areas where these shops are constructed. Whoever is saying the Emirate did not follow due process, is saying that just out of frustration and ignorance of the process, when due process was perfectly followed.”
Ganduje also hinted that President Muhammadu Buhari has hailed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero for his desire in building bond with other traditional rulers across Nigeria.
According to Governor Ganduje, “President Muhammadu Buhari is glad for the efforts the Emir of Kano is making in building stronger ties with other traditional institutions in the country.”
He further told Emir Aminu Ado Bayero that, “I am glad to inform you that when you were paying visits to other traditional leaders in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari was happy about it.”
He added that, “even the Federal Government enjoys your good relationship with other traditional institutions across the country. Therefore, it is not only Kano that is happy with such attitudes towards them and other Nigerians.
“President phoned me and expressed his satisfaction over your effort in building such bonds across. I mean your visits to Emirs and other traditional leaders in the country. So also many Emirs called and expressed their happiness over it.”
Governor Ganduje further assured that the mutual respect between the Emir and the state government, paves way for stronger ties between the state and the Emirate.
He also recalled that, the late Emir Ado Bayero lived peacefully with the state government, adding that, “your presence here reminds me of your father, the late Emir Ado Bayero, whom we sat together and worked together peacefully.”
Governor Ganduje also seized the occassion to brief the Emir on some of the feats so far achieved by his administration.
Ganduje hinted, among other things, that the Kano Dry Port project would be completed by the end of this year, adding that, “our business people will find it very easy to get their goods from abroad without necessarily going to Lagos or any other Port point. This will definitely boost our economy.”
In his brief remarks, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero assured that his Emirate and all other four Emirates in the state would continue to support state government policies, aimed at developing the state.
According to him, “we are very grateful Your Excellency over your effort in bringing back our heritage to us. This is indeed commendable. It is therefore at this juncture, that I am saying, on behalf of other Emirs in the state, we promise to support government policies and programmes.”
The Royal Father who is the chairman of Kano Council of Emirs, urged people to always seek for Allah’s forgiveness, so that the state would continue to enjoy peace, stability, tranquility and sustainable development.
“We are all commending the effort of the state government for the security in the state. Measures taken by the state government to improve the security of the state are commendable,” Emir Bayero noted.
