Kano 2019: How to ensure peaceful elections – Emir Sanusi

The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi ll, has urged Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to call a meeting of political leaders to develop a framework for peaceful 2019 elections in the state.

Mr Sanusi made the appeal on Sunday at the Hawan Nassarawa Durbar, an occasion when the emir customarily pay Sallah homage visit to the state governor.

“We have a single request to the governor on security. We are appealing to governor to invite all state chairmen of political parties to work out how to conduct violence-free elections.

“People should also understand that calling politicians under one umbrella for the purpose of putting things in good shape doesn’t mean calling people to switch over to other political parties. This is not what we are saying. We only need people with good character to be piloting the conduct and affairs of our political parties,” the emir said.

On drug abuse, Mr. Sanusi called on people to be vigilant and pray for divine intervention. He also charged people to pay attention to education and healthy lifestyle.

In his remarks, Mr Ganduje said the state government would partner with the media in Kano, especially radio and television stations to work against hate speeches in political programmes.

On the call by the emir for the governor to promote peaceful behaviour among politicians across political parties, Mr Ganduje said the government had reached an advanced stage along that line.

“We are putting in place an effective mechanism to check unwanted political behaviours. That is why we have in the pipeline a plan to include media practitioners, especially from radio and television stations to see how they can help our society through cleansing all media contents against hate speeches.”

The governor lamented that some politicians were using the media to make unguarded political utterances.

“We will continue doing our best in curtailing such hate speeches that are not good but detrimental to democratic development.

“Personal attacks in the radio are negatively affecting the political development of Kano, as it excluded intellectuals and technocrats from joining politics. In some states intellectuals, seasoned administrators and technocrats represent their states and serve the country diligently in the National Assembly”, the governor said.

He said during the Ramadan, the government invited members of about 53 political parties and urged them to play politics without rancour.

He also used the occasion to list some of the achievements of his administration, including giving loans across the state to boost businesses.

Apart from the completion of many projects he inherited from past administrations, he also mentioned many he initiated, some of which have been completed.

Hawan Nassarawa Durbar was started by Emir Abbas, the first emir of Kano appointed by British colonial masters. During the ceremony, the emir is accompanied by traditional title holders to pay Sallah homage to the governor.

This year’s event was attended by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, representative of the European Union, consulates of Pakistan, Sudan and Chad; as well as the Oluwa of Iwo in Osun State, Abdulrasheed Akanbi.