The Kano Concerned Citizens Initiative (KCCI) has expressed worry that the tussle between the state government and the Emir of Kano could deny the state the benefits of cooperative and harmonious relations. It is drawing attention in a May 15th, 2019 statement by Bashir Othman Tofa, its Chairman, to a number of benefits that the tussle could impair, notably the multi-billion dollar independent power project which the Black Rhino Group chaired by the Emir is pursuing in Kano and said to be the largest in Northern Nigeria. This crisis, said the statement, has also overshadowed the recent international accolades bestowed on Sarkin Kano, ranging from his appointment as a global Board Member of the MTN that the KCCI said is being opposed by a pressure group; the Emir’s appointment by the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, as one of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals Advocates along with President of Ghana and Her Majesty, Queen Mathilde of Belgium. “This should have been celebrated but unfortunately nothing was done because of this crisis”. The statement mentioned projects the Emir is credited with pursuing in China that they say will benefit all.
The KCCI is, therefore, urging both the Emir and the governor to work together in the interest of their people, especially in the month of Ramadan and its priority on forgiveness and brotherhood. Adding that it is looking forward to such unity of purpose in the best interest of the people, While supporting anything that would bring government closer to the people, improving: education, agriculture and security at the grassroots such as creation of more emirates, the KCCI, however, calls for caution “in any attempt to change over 1,000 years of tradition, pointing out the need to carry along all the key stakeholders if it is for the benefit of the people”.
KCCI is happy that both parties are in court. It calls for caution, arguing that, in a democracy, participation of the people and rule of law are very essential and that government actions should not be arbitrary. The statement draws attention to how some people have expressed apprehension on the need to be cautious and maintain the peace in Kano as the only shinning light in Northern Nigeria where many other states are engulfed in one crisis or the other. KCCI strongly feels that it i…”we must not allow any fragmentation to be a catalyst that would lead to communal mistrust especially in this blessed month of Ramadan.
KCCI believes Kano would benefit if the governor and the Emir work together as partners in progress, it would help the cause of the state, both being very experienced public servants and have been in the forefront of state affairs in the last two decades. It recognizes how the emir is the Chairman of the State Economic Advisory Committee and how Kano needs to harness all the available opportunities from the emir’s international net-work and exposure.
 Worry Over Implications of Ganduje – Emir Tussle){kind=link}