The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Saturday organised a special prayer for the success of the second tenure of the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
Mr Ganduje emerged winner of the disputed governorship polls amid widespread violence, voter intimidation and thuggery.
Following the declaration of Mr Ganduje as winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, supporters of the governor called for deposition of the emir and destroyed his portraits within and outside Coronation Hall in Kano Government House over the monarch’s alleged support to the opposition PDP candidate.
A couple of days after the removal of the portraits, the governor ordered for replacement, saying despite the emir’s involvement in politics, there is no “immediate plan” to dethrone him.
But the emir on Saturday organised a special prayer session at the Kano Central Mosque, praying for Allah’s protection and guidance of Mr Ganduje’s administration, as he is about to enter into his second term in office, according to a statement by the governor’s spokesman, Abba Anwar.
“The prayer session was well attended by all the District Heads, Chief Imam of Kano, distinguished scholars among others. While the governor attended with some members of the State Executive Council, some Special Advisors to the Governor, among others.
The emir, according to the statement, took more than an hour explaining why it was necessary for forgiveness in anything that has to do with governance and social relationship, insisting that misunderstanding is sometime caused by sycophants.
“It is therefore necessary for us to always pray for Allah’s protection from such elements.
“It is not bad for anyone to hold on to his or her opinion about happenings in the society. But what is necessary and paramount is the fact that after election, all people should come together and see to the successful tenure of the government in power.
“We must all come together and make Kano great. We must work hard and pray incessantly for the development of our state and the nation in general.
“May Allah shield us from the handiwork of sycophants from our sides. We shall continue to pray for peace and tranquillity in our dear state. People should understand that what is most important is for them to pray hard for Allah to help our leaders. And May He give them good advisers,” Mr Anwar quoted the emir as saying.
In Kano, according to the Emir, there are political leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders and leaders of the business community.
“When those leaders come together, that will also reflect on the society. So we shouldn’t allow for any misunderstanding between these categories of leaders,” he cautioned.
“Whoever wants to create confusion and misunderstanding between these categories of leaders, is somebody who goes astray. This is just it. And such a person doesn’t want the development of our state. In fact he doesn’t love the state at all.”
While calling on the governor to always investigate any story that goes to him, he said sometime people would just take fabricated stories and start spreading rumour, with the intention of causing disaffection.
The emir governor to be a leader with large heart, who embraces all.
“As our leader, ours is to obey and pray for a better and peaceful Kano. It is even Islamic that when one makes mistake, he should apologise,” the emir added.
