In a dramatic political twist that may redefine Kano’s traditional power matrix, former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has thrown his weight behind Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, as the monarch turbaned Ganduje’s nephew, Alhaji Jamilu Sani Umar, as the new Village Head of Ganduje.

This development signals a major shift in political allegiance, coming from a family that once stood at the heart of Emir Sanusi’s 2020 dethronement.

The former village head, Alhaji Sani Ganduje — who was removed from office — had openly challenged the Kano Emirate over the legitimacy of his removal, deepening the rift between the Gandujes and Sanusi’s loyalists.

However, following the recent reinstatement of Emir Sanusi II by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, political equations in Kano have shifted rapidly.

In what many see as a move to realign with the prevailing tide, Dr. Ganduje reportedly convened a strategic meeting with his extended family and directed full support for the new appointment.

Rather than sending a delegate, the entire Ganduje family physically accompanied Jamilu to the Emir’s palace, a powerful public gesture of submission and allegiance to Sanusi’s throne.

Political analysts interpret this as Ganduje’s calculated pivot — recognizing Emir Sanusi’s regained influence and perhaps seeking to reposition himself within Kano’s changing political terrain.

The move also draws a clear contrast with the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, who enjoyed close ties with Ganduje during his administration but is now increasingly sidelined.

By endorsing the turbaning and realigning his family under Sanusi’s leadership, Ganduje appears to be reading the political handwriting on the wall — that Emir Sanusi’s return is not just ceremonial, but a restoration of deep-rooted traditional authority with growing political resonance.

As Kano continues to balance tradition and politics, the Ganduje family’s public allegiance to Emir Sanusi may be the clearest indication yet that the old guard is adapting to a new power order.

The President of the Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Israr has clarified the closure of the Al-Ansar Indabo hostel over non-compliance with the university rules.

It would be recalled that the university has on Monday closed the hostel citing noncompliance and non-adherence to the welfare of students.

In a statement on Tuesday, Professor Israr explained that the university Management found it necessary to take the action due to non-compliance with the university’s rules and regulations governing the operation of private hotels.

“Despite issuing queries to the owners of the affected hostels, they failed to comply with our rules and regulations, we have no option but to take this appropriate action.

“Non-compliance resulted in several unwanted situations and activities within the hostel, including poor water and power supply. These issues pose a serious threat to the well-being of our students.

“We have to protect the reputation that we built for over 13 years, we stand by ethics to ensure good conduct and welfare of our students”.

The hostels are privately owned facilities approved by the institution to accommodate students.

According to Israr, it was part of the university’s effort to ensure safe, secure, and decent hostel accommodations for students while maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for any form of immorality among university students.

The school, which acquired its operational license and commenced academic activities in 2021, allowed private developers to build and apply for the school’s accreditation to house students.

“This is part of the founder’s initiative to contribute more to the economy of the state.

You cannot find these irregularities in our hostels but in the ones owned by the private developers. The closure is in the best interest of the parents and students”. Israr said.

“Accordingly, all affected students are strongly directed to vacate the hostel immediately after the completion of the first-semester examination.

Meanwhile, the management is collaborating with relevant security agencies to ensure total compliance,” the statement said.

It would also be recalled that the university last week ordered the immediate closure of Insktaf hostel as a result of some criminal activities such as torture, physical assault and injury among others, posing a serious security threat to the well-being of students living in the affected hostels.

Didi Walson-Jack, head of service of the federation, says the Federal Executive Council has approved the Group Life Assurance Scheme for government workers, paramilitary and uniformed personnel.

Ms Walson-Jack said this while briefing State House correspondents on Monday at the end of the sixth FEC meeting of the year.

She said through the insurance scheme, the federal government would provide a life policy for each public servant and that in the event of death, the public servant’s next-of-kin would benefit from helping the family cushion the effect of the loss.

This scheme underscores the importance that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has placed on the welfare of the federal workers. This year, the group life assurance scheme covers key government officials, comprising Mr President, the vice-president, the chief of staff, and the secretary to the government of the federation.

The other beneficiaries are ministers, the head of the civil service of the federation, permanent secretaries and staff of federal government ministries and treasury-funded agencies,” she stated.

According to her, the scheme also covers the paramilitary agencies such as the Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Correctional Service, the Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Office of the National Security Adviser.

She added that the insurance scheme would be annual, and that the approval given by FEC was for the 2025/2026 policy year, and the policy would commence from the date of premium payment to underwriters in line with the no premium, no cover policy.

“The approval for today was for the appointment of 17 insurance underwriters for the group life insurance cover and for the year 2025/2026, as I had earlier mentioned.

“The premium is paid to the insurance companies for 12 months. So, this policy will expire in 2026,” she disclosed.

(NAN) Peoples gazette