Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State on Wednesday raised alarm that the Federal Government was trying to harm him and his family by withdrawing a substantial number of his security aides and policemen.
The governor has also accused the Federal Government of sponsoring those he described as the enemies of the state to embark on violent protests across the state with a view to bringing down his administration.
Kwankwaso, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with four other governors to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, last December, told journalists in Abuja that he was concerned about the current standoff in his state by agents of the Federal Government.
The governor said: “I know that they are playing a lot of games. We do not know their intention and what they are going to do next. But I have to say like all other people in this country that everybody is concerned about his/her security, otherwise our lives are in the hands of the Almighty God.
“The bottom line is that we have seen a sign that there is a level of mischief coming from other places and I want to put it on record that whatever happens to me, my family or my state, Jonathan should be held responsible.”
The governor pointed out that it was strange for the Federal Government and PDP to be unduly involved in the choice of an emir for Kano when it was the traditional duty of the four kingmakers of the state and the state governor to approve whoever they recommend.
According to him, the choice of the former Central Bank, CBN, Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, became imperative following his selection as the first choice by the kingmakers, adding that his emergence had nothing to do with politics as erroneously imputed by the enemies of the state and its people.
“The truth is that the more I think of the appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the more I feel comfortable and happy because all the people who are friends to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the government and the good people of Kano State are very happy with his selection.
“He is qualified by all standards— Western education, Islamic education— and a proud grandson and son of an emir. He has all the qualities needed to be appointed an emir.
“I believe he is the best. The truth is that some few people may not be happy with him and they want to do everything possible to create tension and crisis in the state, but they seem to forget that crisis is not good for anybody especially leaders, because you can start it but you do not know how it will end.”
Kwankwaso accused the Presidency of using the selection of Sanusi as the new emir to witch-hunt him and the people of the state just because he was no longer in PDP.
The governor, who wondered why the Presidency and PDP did not show interest in the recent selection of the new Emir of Gombe, which is a PDP state, asked those causing trouble in his state to steer clear or be ready for the consequences of stoking avoidable violence.
Explaining how Sanusi emerged, Kwankwasso said: “In all, six people showed interest, three were recommended and presented and Sanusi was on the top of the list. As a result, we picked him.
“But that is not even the issue. The governor has the right to take number one, two, three or reject all and call for a fresh list. That is the position and nobody under the law can go and dictate to the state what it should do in appointing an emir.
“The problem we are facing is that we are not in PDP because recently there was vacancy in Gombe for a new emir and nobody instigated any violence when the new emir was chosen. What they do not know is that they are the absolute minority in Kano.
“I believe that what they did in Kano, following the announcement of Sanusi as the new Emir, is wrong. But the fact of the matter in my opinion is that the current President does not know where the powers of Mr. President begin and end.
“It is not the duty of PDP or the Presidency to approve the appointment of an Emir in any state and it cannot do so in Kano. But if there is the post of the Emir of Nigeria let them appoint that one and leave us alone.”
Meanwhile, some part of Kano erupted in celebration, Tuesday night, following rumors that the newly appointed Emir of Kano, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had been arrested by the police and that the Federal Government had reversed his appointment.
Thousands of youths poured into the streets by 10p.m. around the emir’s palace, Kofar Nassarawa, Mandawari, Gwale, Kofar Kudu and environs celebrating and chanting pro-Jonathan slogans for effecting the change.
The celebrations, captured live by a local radio station, lasted two hours as news of the change spread across the city.
The celebrants, who were opposed to Sanusi’s candidacy, expressed happiness over his rumoured arrest and detention by the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, combat ready policemen are still occupying the emir’s palace four days after Sanusi was announced as the new emir, following the death of the former Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero.
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