Sultan Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III of Sokoto and members of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs(NSCIA) have waded into the impasse in Kano over the appointment of the Emir, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
The NSCIA, including top Emirs in the North, have reached out to the Presidency to allow the choice of Sanusi by the kingmakers to stay.
It was learnt that the Sultan and NSCIA members might meet President Goodluck Jonathan “any moment from now” to resolve the issues involving the appointment of Sanusi.
In what appeared a response to the rapprochement from Sultan and the council, the Presidency was said to have ordered the police to withdraw its officers and men from the Emir’s Palace last night.
The evacuation of the policemen was being awaited as at press time.
But the NSCIA , in a statement through its Secretary-General, Prof. Ishaq Olanrewaju Oloyede, asked politicians to stop making infuriating comments on the appointment of the Emir.
The Sultan, top Emirs and other members of the NSCIA have reached out to key government officials to accept Sanusi, The Nation learnt.
They reportedly pleaded with the Presidency to allow Emir Sanusi access to the palace.
It was learnt that the NSCIA waded into the crisis after it discovered that Sanusi was actually the kingmakers’ choice.
A source said: “I think Sultan and others in NSCIA have made progress in their overtures to the presidency to let Sanusi be and avert any further breakdown of law and order in Kano Emirate.
“The NSCIA members have reached out to all the powers that be in government. They are making peace between the new Emir and the government too.
“Sultan, some Northern Emirs and NSCIA members are expected to meet President Goodluck Jonathan on the issue any moment from now.”
The source said: “I think the intervention has yielded positive result. Policemen at the Emir’s Palace have been asked to leave.
“On or before Friday morning, the policemen would have left the palace.”
In a statement last night by its NSCIA Secretary-General Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the NSCIA asked politicians to stay away from Kano Emirate tussle.
The statement said: “The NSCIA appeals to politicians across the parties to stop making derisive and infuriating comments on the appointment of the new Emir of Kano.
“The Emirship is both traditional and religious. The council therefore appeals to all politicians to leave the matter for traditional and religious institutions to see to the smooth completion of the transition in Kano.
“The council, under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, who is the President -General of the NSCIA, is conscious of its responsibilities and it us doing everything possible to ensure the revered throne is not politicized and there us no rancour among the people of Kano.”
CUlled from the Nation: http://thenationonlineng.net/new/emir-kano-sultan-nscia-members-intervene/
