Disclaimer: opinions expressed here are mine and are opined out of pure love I have for my dear state, Kano and the respect I have for the two political leaders. Moreover, I am not affiliated to any political party in Nigeria, at least not yet.
Since 2021, I personally decided to go off the public domains with respect to government fuss in general with the aim to nurture personal growth. However, I just realized that the hardest job of all is to say nothing and do nothing even though saying nothing has its own merit(s) under certain circumstances.
I have been keenly following the unfolding brouhaha between the royal family in Kano State, the Kano State government, and to some extent the federal government in disguise. This is sad and indeed unnecessary considering the current economic hardship ravaging Nigerians. Your Excellencies, in case you are not aware, since Monday the 9th of March 2020 when the 14th Emir of Kano was deposed, lots have happened to the good people of Kano. Let me highlight some of the consequences your rivalry and this royal leadership tussle had caused and how it is impacting good people of Kano negatively.
Consequences of the rivalry between Kwankwaso and Ganduje in relation to the royal leadership tussle:
- Panic and apprehension among the general public in the state due to security uncertainties and possibility of breaks in law and order in the state.
- Rivalry, hatred, and division especially among the royal family which is now escalating down to the general public in the state. This is more pronounced among the teeming youth due to accessibility to social media where all sorts of misinformation and different opinions are shared.
- Wasteful time and resources by the government that can be utilized to improve the living standards of the good people of Kano State.
- I’m more worried that this hateful and divisionary leadership could be passed down among your followers decades after you have gone to meet your creator. The question is, are you ready to justify all these before Allah Subhanahu wata’ala? Have you done it for His sake, for the interest of the people you governed, or for your political gains?
Your Excellencies, may I humbly remind you that peaceful coexistence in Kano State is an unnegotiated nuance that is very vital not only for the good people of Kano, but for the Northern Nigeria, Nigeria as a whole, and indeed the West African at large!
Your Excellencies, it is time heal some wounds, I understand some of your grudges might be difficult to resolve, but is it not clear that when two elephants fight the grasses suffer the consequences? My point is, the innocent people of Kano are the ones receiving the waves of this tussle and we do not deserved it. A deep thought and reflection should teach us some lessons from the past, perhaps, with my shallow understanding of life, whatever your Excellencies are after will never last forever! Is it the power or the need to remain relevant? Where are the likes of Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Audu Bako, Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna, H.R.H. Alhaji Sir Muhammadu Sanusi I, and H.R.H. Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Bayero CFR LLD all of blessed memories? May Allah Subhanahu wata’ala have mercy on their souls. Haven’t we read or learned from their time and trajectories? Though I am a poor student of history, but I learned somewhere that during his reign as the Emir of Kano, Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Bayero used to visit his brother Alhaji Sir Muhammadu Sanusi I while in self-exile in Azare. This should teach us about tolerance and unity of purpose exemplified by our grandfathers, and we must emulate such.
To the royal family, please do not allow political leaders used you for their political gains. Yes, it is normal to have individual difference including those of political views. Nevertheless, as Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna of blessed memory once said and taught us, we must use those differences to breed tolerance and unity of purpose.
To the masses and ordinary people of Kano like me, please note, the royal family is one and that is why they both are legitimate to ascend to the throne. Moreover, it is worthy to know, Emir Muhammad Sanusi II is married to Emir Alhaji Aminu Bayero’s sister. My point is, do not hate your brothers, sisters, families, and/or friends because of their tussle, it is a family affair and it shall come to pass. Instead, carry on and focus with your legitimate businesses and love for one another.
I wish there is a forum where the elder statesmen in Kano State or in the Northern Nigeria in its entirely could organize a dialogue meeting between the two of you to underscore the need to end this unhealthy political feud. This will certainly ensure peace, unity, and prosperity of the good people of Kano and Northern Nigeria as a whole. Sadly, the two of you are supposed to be among the so called elder statesmen in Northern Nigeria to call others to order.
Finally, myself and of course many Nigerians are not unaware of the role our judicial system is playing in fueling this feud. Based on personal experience, I have so much respect for the Nigerian lawyers. However, it is very unfortunate how some of them chose to forget their professional integrity when it comes to matters that involves political elites. It appeared to me that some of them sell out their professional integrity to the highest bidder. How sad?
In conclusion, dear Excellencies Kwankwaso and Ganduje, you are leaders, mentors, and role models to many within and outside Kano State. Please, put your people, the good people of Kano State before any of your political gains and ambitions. What the good people of Kano need is an overhauls in our education system, poverty eradication, peaceful and stable atmosphere for our men and women to go about their daily activities without rancor or being intimidated, and good governance in general. The good you sow today will be what you shall reap tomorrow, and nothing last forever!
I pray to Allah Subhanahu wata’ala to resolve your differences and to open your hearts to embrace peace for the progress and prosperity of your people.
May Kano State and the good people of Kano succeed.
Khalid Garba Mohammed, Ph.D. London
