By Mustapha Usman, Kano
Kano State government has changed the theme of the Coronation Hall from red to green, in what the government described as a way to “harmonize the colours of the Government House”.
The hall was built in 2015 by the immediate past governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, for the coronation of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi ll as the emir of Kano. The hall bears red theme with red chairs to symbolize the colour of the then governor’s political movement, Kwankwasiyya.
The incumbent governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje has been in fierce battle with Mr. Kwankwaso, a situation that made the loyalists of the governor to stop wearing the red cap.
Social media was awash with the pictures of the new look of the Coronation Hall, with commenters saying the development might not be unconnected with the Kwankwaso/Ganduje feud.
But in a telephone interview with DAILY NIGERIAN correspondent on Friday, Mr Ganduje’s spokesman, Salihu Yakasai, explained the decision of the government to change the seats, saying most of them were broken and needed replacement.
“If you look at the seats before, you will notice that a lot of them have broken and needed replacement long ago. The change in the colour of the seats is to celebrate the upcoming three major events in the state.
“You know Kano will hold Economic Summit; Kano at 50 celebrations and; Democracy Day ceremony. Most of the colours of the Government House are white and green. And it has been like that long before coming of this administration. Even the fence is white and green.
“I think it is only the coronation hall that was wearing red decoration. So in order to harmonise the look of the Government House, we decided to change those seats and the painting to green,” he said.
He further explained that the development has nothing to do with politics but an attempt to beautify the state’s seat of power.
Asked about the budget for the project, Mr Yakasai said he did not know how much was expended. “You can ask commissioner of Works,” he added.
