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Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has been named as member of a committee set up by Nothern leaders to mediate in the ongoing face-off between the Kano State governor, Umar Ganduje and Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido.
A statement signed by former Head of Service of the Federation, Adamu Fika, said former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar will lead a committee of Northern leaders and other Nigerians to intervene in the crisis.
The statement noted that Governor Ganduje and Emir Sanusi have been advised to call their followers and supporters to order pending the outcome of a meeting slated for today.
The statement read: “Against the background of the crisis in Kano, a matter that has since degenerated into serious tension within the State, with likely consequences on peace and security with the possibility of spilling into neighbouring states, a group of elders, under the chairmanship of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR has been formed to intervene in the crisis, with a view to bringing about, full reconciliation, and effective resolution of the matter.
“Two-State Governors are also members of the committee. These are Gov. Kayode Fayemi (who is also the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum) and Gov. Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State
“Other members of the Committee are:
Alh. Adamu Fika, Wazirin Fika, CFR
Gen. Muhammadu Inuwa Wushishi, CFR, GCON
Alh Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN
Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, OFR, CFR
Dr Umaru Mutallab, CON
Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, CFR
Sheikh Sharif Ibrahim Saleh
Dr Adamu Fika – Secretary
“The committee is working with full understanding and cooperation of the Federal Government and initial contact has been made with His Excellency the Governor of Kano, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as well as with His Highness the Emir of Kano, Sarki Muhammadu Sanusi II.
“They have each confirmed to hold back from taking any further actions until the committee has fully undertaken and finalised this exercise of reconciliation and resolution.
“Similarly, they each have respectively undertaken to call on all their supporters and sympathisers including social media operators to refrain from making statements, declarations, songs, articles, blogs and all actions inimical to the spirit and process of good governance, order and reconciliation. We call on everyone to hearken to the call of their principals.”
Ganduje and Sanusi have been at loggerheads over the creation of four additional emirates in the state by the governor.
The state government and Sanusi had filed several suits in court over the matter, with reports in some quarters saying the governor was planning to dethrone the monarch.
The state government has denied the reports, saying the decision to create the emirate councils was to bring development to the people at the grassroot in the state.