Chuks Emeka

As an Igbo Nigerian, watching the events unfold in Kano with the police summoning Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II over a harmless and respectful Eid homage is both infuriating and heartbreaking. This is not just a Northern affair—it is a national disgrace, one that reveals how far we’ve sunk in allowing personal vendettas to hijack state institutions.

It is now evident to anyone paying attention that this harassment of Sanusi is being orchestrated by Northern politicians who cannot stand the fact that he returned to the throne with dignity, public support, and historic legitimacy. These individuals are not concerned about peace or tradition—they are using the weight of the federal government to settle personal scores. And they are doing so with the silent approval—or perhaps even the encouragement—of a Yoruba-led presidency that appears content to let Northern chaos continue, so long as it serves its narrow political survival.

Let me say it plainly: what is happening to Emir Sanusi is not just an attack on a man—it is an attack on intellect, courage, and the idea that a traditional ruler can also be a voice of conscience. Sanusi speaks hard truths. He challenges corruption. He is a Northern elite who refuses to play along with the politics of stagnation. And for this, a section of the Northern power structure has turned against him with venom.

But here is where it becomes a national problem: the federal government is now the muscle for their revenge.

The Nigeria Police Force—an institution that should be impartial and focused on real security threats—is being weaponized to intimidate a respected monarch. This is not just an abuse of power; it is an abuse that is being carried out under a Yoruba presidency, one that many of us across the country supported out of hope for national healing, restructuring, and competence.

Instead, what we are witnessing is a presidency that looks away as its office is used to deepen Northern divisions, humiliate progressive voices, and prop up those who have kept the region—and by extension, the country—in chains.

As an Igbo observer, I have no ethnic stake in who sits on the Kano throne. But I have a stake in justice. And I have a stake in national cohesion. And right now, it must be said: this presidency is not only complicit in the destruction of Northern tradition and reform—it is laying the foundation for long-term distrust between the North and the South-West.

How can any honest Northerner with vision or values support another Yoruba presidency after this? How can the North believe that a Yoruba-led federal government will stand for fairness, if it allows itself to be a tool in internal Hausa-Fulani factional disputes?

Let me remind our Yoruba brothers and sisters: when power is used to destroy your allies in other regions, it may win you short-term praise from those who benefit. But the price is long-term alienation. And if those now benefiting from Sanusi’s humiliation think they are strengthening themselves, they are mistaken. They are destroying what remains of the North’s moral credibility—and doing it in full view of the rest of the country.

We must not pretend this is neutral governance. It is partisan interference in traditional leadership. It is a betrayal of federal neutrality. And it is being carried out by a government that has made no real progress on the issues that matter to Nigerians—security, economy, justice—but finds the energy to go after a monarch whose only crime is his integrity.

This moment calls for all Nigerians—Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and others—to stand on the side of reason. The issue here is not Sanusi’s title. It is the future of how we relate to power, culture, and conscience in this country.

If this is what a Yoruba presidency does with federal authority, then many across the North—and indeed the rest of Nigeria—will begin to ask: was it ever really worth supporting?

Chuks Emeka writes from London.

By Amb. Abbas Abdullahi Yakasai cissp ipma

It is deeply unfortunate and disappointing to witness a group referred to as Northern Women Lawyers Congress, an association that ordinarily by the name, would be expected to fight for justice, fairness, and the rule of law, stooping so low and issuing a politically motivated statement aimed at vilifying a respected traditional leader, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi, the Emir of Kano

The Congress, led by one Barrister Nafisa Abba, has taken upon itself to blindly applaud the actions of the Nigeria Police Force without critically examining the circumstances surrounding their invitation to Mallam Mohammadu Sanusi, II

The emotional and biased tone of their statement suggests that, it was far from professional legal opinion, but a desperate attempt to align with certain political interests, for personal gains.

The public is watching, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that, someone with a vested agenda is hiding behind the name of this so-called Congress.

We wish to remind the leader of the group, by name Barrister Nafisa and her colleagues, that leadership be it traditional or democratic, requires balance, wisdom, and a sincere focus on progress. At a time when Kano and Nigeria are grappling with real, tangible crises, poverty, insecurity, out-of-school children, drug abuse, and youth unemployment. The Congress has disgracefully chosen to make a spectacle out of a cultural durbar and the invitation of Emir of Kano (Mallam Mohammadu Sanusi).

While the group claim to be defenders of justice, where were they when almost 16 innocent lives were lost in the tragic incident in Edo State just recently, who were from Kano, the recent killings of people in Plateau and Benue States respectively. What bold statement had the group released to demand justice for those Nigerians? What proactive steps have they taken to ensure that the affected families are heard or that the perpetrators are held accountable?

Their silence on real national tragedies speaks louder than their politically motivated attack on Sanusi Lamido Sunusi, and a clear case of self serving interest. If the Congress is truly committed to justice, we urge them to channel their energy towards issues that matter, holding institutions accountable, advocating for victims, and ensuring that Nigeria’s justice system works for all, not just for those with political influence.

Moreover, labeling civil society organisations (CSOs) as “creations of the Emir” is not only irresponsible but also undermines the important work done by independent voices who constantly risk their lives and reputations to speak truth to power. The CSOs in question have every right to question the legality and circumstances and intentions surrounding the police’s actions, just as citizens have the right to demand fairness and due process.

It is also disturbing that, the so called Congress seems to suggest that traditional leaders no longer deserve respect or basic civil rights. Emir Sanusi’s history of speaking up against societal decay, corruption, and injustice is well known, and it is one of the reasons why he remains a target for politically self serving individuals and their cronies. Whether one agrees with him or not, his right to dignity, fairness, and protection under the law must be respected and upheld.

We urge the Congress to return to the path of justice and objectivity, and to stop allowing themselves to be used as pawns in political chess games. If truly they care for Kano and Nigeria, let them rise above petty distractions and contribute meaningfully to the progress of our people.

Enough of the distractions. Let us focus on building a better Kano, and a greater Nigeria.

By Abba Anwar

First and foremost I used my real name to write my most recent article, captioned “Ganduje Repeats History : Takes Peace to Kano.”

Though it is not a sin for someone to use pen name and authors a particular piece. But in many instances, such happens because of many factors, among them are, the real author is either a coward or a serial liar or an envelope of many blunders. Whose faculty of thinking is either blocked or disappears in smoke. Or for mischievous reasons.

One so-called Gwadabe Abdullahi from Sanka quarters did a rejoinder of my piece on Ganduje, captioned “The Decoration of Ganduje As A Peace Ambassador : Unmasking A Legacy of Divisiveness And Manipulation.”

What “fascinates” me about the piece is the sequencing and the flow of blunders, missteps and ignorant disposition of his understanding of my article.

My reader please read me and enjoy reading.

In his 15-paragraph waste of ink and inaccurate presentation of what he calls “fact” nowhere, I repeat, nowhere, was he able to take my presented arguments that exist scientifically, one after the other and debunk them with superior arguments or manipulative tendencies. Nowhere!

Some of my examples of why the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON, MY BOSS, is an Ambassador of Peace and an Icon of Community Policing are touchable, some are seeable and some are feelable.

One can touch the building and the equipments of the Bompai-housed security control room, provided by Ganduje administration, for detecting and following people’s movements in Kano. Dormitories built by Ganduje in all Kano exist points and the screen set in his office, where he monitored what was happening in Kano, were all touchables.

Turning Falgore forest into Military Training ground, is seeable. Because one could see the in and out of those military personnel with their hardwares. So also Security Summit across our five Emirates, was seeable. Because you could see the convergence of traditional leaders and other stakeholders coming together working towards enhancing security system in the state.

The two days grand reconciliation meeting between Igbo leaders across all the 19 Northern states and Northern Youth Groups, was seeable. You could see elements from both sides.

What was feelable was the enhancement and strengthening of security system in the state. You could feel peace and tranquility while in Kano then. Ganduje Gandun Aiki! Let me stop here and face the inaccurate understanding of my piece by Mr Sanka.

His first paragraph says, and I quote,
“In response to Abba Anwar’s piece, “Ganduje Repeats History, Takes Peace to Kano,” the author, an erstwhile Press Secretary to Ganduje, he portrayed his Principal, a former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje as a peace ambassador is a deeply misleading narrative crafted to cover the truth of his divisive and manipulative actions. It is bewildering that anyone would attempt to depict Ganduje as a beacon of peace, given his long-standing history of fostering division and political manipulation.”

I begin to wonder when political manipulation has become a sin in politics. And from this paragraph to the last paragraph I did not see a single line of accusation against my Boss, that can be proven scientifically without contemplation. Almost all are merely based on false accusation and rumor.

His sentiment goes like this, “The people of Kano are no strangers to the numerous actions Governor Ganduje undertook during his eight-year tenure that directly contradict the principles of peaceful coexistence. His tactics of sowing discord spanned across various sectors of the state.”

Just understand what he said very we please, that what Ganduje did in eight – year tenure”… contradicts the principles of peaceful coexistence.” I ask Oga Sanka, how can reconciliation of Igbo leaders and Northern Youth groups becomes contradictory to principles of peace?

How can turning Falgore forest to military training ground to tame banditry, robbery and cattle rustling becomes contradictory to peace? How can promoting harmonious working relationship between our security agencies becomes contradictory to peace? etc etc

As the writer, Sanka runs away from facing my piece on issue – based analysis, as I presented them, he derails this way, as he says, “Consider Ganduje’s treatment of religious leaders. This is the same Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje who created a parallel Council of Ulama for his own selfish political ambitions. In Fagge, he constructed a new mosque just meters away from the Friday mosque at Dandalin Fagge and built yet another within the Kantin Kwari market—both actions designed to instigate conflict between respected scholars like Sheikh Aminu Daurawa and Bakari Mika’il. A leader who truly seeks peace would never employ such tactics to create division.

Throughout the tenure of Baba Ganduje, there wasn’t any official Council of Ulama different form the one controlled by Shaykh Ibrahim Khalil. I stand to be corrected, but definitely with facts not rumor or idiosyncratic postulation of one’s selfishness and sentiment.

When did building of a Mosque become a sin? Haba Sanka wane irin son zuciya ne wannan? What kind of upside-down disposition is this? And who told him that Ganduje wanted to pitch Daurawa against Bakari or vice versa? People of his nature always work with lies, rumors and self – created stories.

From all indication, next time in Kano when wives of the people like Sanka have miscarriage, he will say, Ganduje at fault. When I saw the caption of the write-up, I thought he is a modern man, who works with facts and emerging arguments. Though it appears trashy, but it can still be useful as a reference point.

Again in the relief aspect he posed that, “Additionally, his deliberate efforts to create factions within religious groups such as:Tijjaniyya, Qadiriyya, and Izala movements against one another further expose his agenda of discord rather than unity.”

Though the writer fails woefully to tell us undefeating arguments as his reason for saying this. The way I know it during Ganduje is this, whenever there was anything concerning religion, he organised meetings upon meetings with all Clerics from all sects of Islam to deliberate on it before government takea any decision.

A typical example was during COVID-19, before the suspension of Friday prayers he engaged all scholars with health experts. That was why when the decision was taken nobody resisted. In fact, it was those scholars who were deeply engaged in awareness creation campaign.

Without thinking of the Day of Judgment, Sanka said, “It is difficult to paint the picture of Ganduje as a peace ambassador because of the fact that he unilaterally established a new Emirate in a region where no such institution had previously existed. This was not a signal of peace, but a calculated move to further fragment the people for his personal and political gain.”

Hahahaha did he say” unilaterally? Haba Malam! Unilaterally? Please go and check the correct history of Kano Emirate and other Emirates existed before Kano Emirates. Please go and read more about this, then come back and educate me.

The writer posits that, “Moreover, when Ganduje used his powers as governor to depose Emir Sanusi II, the impact was felt far beyond the corridors of power. Now, his attempts to destabilize the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi by backing the forceful return of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero speak volumes about his true intentions.”

Let me laugh lightly hhh. Go and check in whose hand does the power of deposing Emir exists? Alhamdulillah he said Ganduje used his power to depose Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. If I may ask, where is the power of the current governor? Can’t he also use power to depose Aminu Ado Bayero? Or is Sanka confessing that the current governor lacks the needed power? So what is he saying? Does he also mean Ganduje outside power is more powerful than the current governor in Kano affairs? Please don’t belittle a serving governor Malam Sanka.

I consider taking the author on some of the arguments as mere waste of time. While he lacks clear understanding of them, his presentation of them is half – baked. Places like this, “Ganduje’s internal party politics further exposes his divisive nature. His actions prior to the 2023 governorship election caused significant rifts within the APC, damaging relationships between prominent party members such as Senator Barau Jibrin, Murtala Sule Garu, and H.E. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna… ”

Have this one sentence kawai, at a point in time Garo was Barau’s Campaign Director General and the same Garo was Gawuna’s running mate for guber race. So where is the rift?

When he said,” Additionally, his alleged manipulation of lecturers and student protests at the Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil, exemplifies his willingness to use public resources to divide rather than unite,” I now clearly understand his relationship with the issue. Period.

The writer said,” At the national level, Ganduje’s alleged role in blocking the North-Central region from securing the position of National Party Chairman reflects his disregard for fairness and unity. Is this the behaviour of a so-called ambassador of peace?

My friend please go and understand how national politics is being played. The writer and his likes, only understand local politics Alaji. Kifayen rijiya kawai.

Part of Ganduje’s “sins” according to the author is where he said, “His renaming of state institutions provides further evidence of his divisive mindset. The renaming of Northwest University, originally established by his predecessor to erase its historical context, along with the renaming of cities such as Kwankwasiyya City, Amana City, and Bandirawo, is a clear attempt to erase history in favor of his narrow political agenda. These are not the actions of a leader committed to peace.”

Northwest University was renamed Yusuf Maitama Sule University. While Kwankwasiyya City was renamed Shaikh Khalifa Isyaka Rabi’u, Amana City renamed Shaykh Nasiru Kabara City and Bandirawo City renamed Shaykh Ja’afar Mahmoud Adam City. Mr Sanka, Mr Sanka, Mr Sanka, I called the name three times, is he saying these gentlemen of blessed memory do not deserve to be immortalized? Is Sanka really in his… hmm?

I understand the true direction of the writer when he lamented that, “The injustice surrounding the inconclusive 2019 gubernatorial election results, Ganduje’s handling of the situation in Gama is yet another example of how his political manoeuvring has caused nothing but turmoil and grief for the people of Kano.”

Though I am from Bakinruwa quarters in Dala local government, but an important link with Gama makes Gama my second Quarters (Unguwa). I know a lot about that development. So I advise him to go and revisit what he said on 2019 inconclusive election. And it’s aftermath. I won’t go further.

“Finally, Ganduje’s record on security deserves scrutiny,” I agree with him hundred and one percent (101%). Had it been you did the scrutiny objectively, you wouldn’t have come this way.

Sanka amplified, “In conclusion, Abba Anwar’s attempt to glorify Ganduje as a champion of peace is a flagrant misrepresentation of reality. The facts are clear, Ganduje used his position to divide, manipulate, and conquer the people of Kano, leaving behind a legacy of political instability rather than peace.” Bari in dariya dan kadan hahahahaha.

Anwar was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com
Monday 7th April, 2025