Dr Nura Alkali speaks on Kano Emirate:
Unlike Kano Emirate, which the British conquered in whole, Adamawa Emirate was conquered by the British, French and Germans. That was how parts of Adamawa fell in Cameroon and other parts in Nigeria are outside the emirate, though in Adamawa State (former British Cameroons now comprising Mubi, Madagali, Jada, etc).
So, those of us from Adamawa are used to four, five emirates in one state. Of course, a traditional ruler will see it differently, which is why I sympathize with Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. But unlike his Kano supporters, I won’t dread Gov. Ganduje’s plot to undermine him using a disgraced state assembly.
If I were from Kano, I’d, in fact, prepare for the worst scenario of the governor deposing the Emir. I won’t wish that by any means, but I’d prepare for it, so that when the dust settles, Abdullahi Ganduje will spend time in prison regretting why he ever governed Kano State. This may seem a daunting task, but it is possible.
At the last elections, Gov. Dankwambo of Gombe State – who was deemed to have performed well in office – was soundly defeated in his attempt to install a successor and proceed to the Senate. In Adamawa and Bauchi states, governors Bindowo Jibrilla and MA Abubakar both lost re-election to PDP candidates unexpectedly.
Granted, Ganduje got a second term, but his luck at rigging elections won’t hold on forever and PMB won’t contest in 2023, thus depriving Ganduje’s chosen successor the benefit of PMB’s popularity in Kano. In these circumstances, a deposed Kano Emir contesting for governorship will be the man to beat.
I have no doubt the new governor will govern well through institutional reforms banning child abuse and promoting girl-child education, among others. But good governance, whether in Kano or London, also requires prosecution of bribe-takers, who on conviction, deserve maximum prison terms to help rid society of criminals.
