By Mustapha Usman
The president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, have made spirited appeals to Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, not to depose the emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The emir is facing probe by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission over alleged mismanagement of the emirate council’s funds to the tune of over N4billion.
It was gathered that the governor has been in China for about a week and had switched off his lines to avoid calls from notable individuals who may plead on the emir’s behalf. The governor allegedly elongated his stay in China and remained out of reach in order avoid lobbyists, pending the outcome of the investigations.
The appeals, sources said, are now routed through the deputy governor of the state, Hafiz Abubakar, and some top aides of the governor.
DAILY NIGERIAN learnt from credible sources that Mr Saraki’s attempts to speak to Mr Ganduje failed as the governor’s mobile line was switched off, just as Mr El-Rufai’s efforts were also abortive.
Palace sources said the emir shelved his planned journey to a foreign country as his efforts to speak with the governor failed, and was advised by top council members to hold on until the return of the governor.
While Mr Saraki is a business partner and benefactor of the emir, Mr El-Rufai is a close friend to the embattled emir.
Reliable sources said Mr Saraki was instrumental to Mr Sanusi’s appointment as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
Responding to DAILY NIGERIAN inquiry, spokesman to Mr Saraki, Yusuph Olanionu, said he “did not have that information” about his principal’s intervention, while Mr El-Rufai’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, could not be reached for comment.
