Sanusi warns politicians on tension over 2019 elections

Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II

The Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II, has raised the alarm over growing political friction ahead of the 2019 general elections.

He made the observation during the Hauwa Nassarawa, a traditional Sallah homage paid by Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, yesterday.

Sanusi’s warning is coming barely nine days to a hearing by the Federal High Court, Kano, on the trial of former governor Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Aminu Wali, and former Director General of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Mansur Ahmad – all chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The trio is facing a six-count charge of money laundering, accused of collecting N950 million from former Minister of Petroleum Diezani Alison-Madueke, contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 as amended.

Supporters of the accused persons in the thousands, last month, had tried to overpower security operatives and force their way onto the court premises.

The police responded with sporadic gunfire and teargas.

Earlier that week, hundreds of protesters, alleging political victimisation of the accused, had tried to prevent Shekarau from making a scheduled visit to the Kano State office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Security personnel were reportedly forced to seek reinforcement to regain the upper hand.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) currently holds sway in the state.

Ongoing rivalry between Ganduje and former governor and serving Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano Central) is also threatening peace within the party.

Few days to the Eid-il-Fitir celebration, the member representing Municipal Constituency at the state House of Assembly, Baffa Babba Danagundi, petitioned the Inspector General of Police, National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, and the Emir, accusing Kwankwaso of plotting to unleash violence during the festival.