Ganduje, Kwankwaso Endorse Governor Yusuf Elders’ Council

Two former governors of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and his successor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, have accepted to serve in advisory capacity to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf through the Kano Elders’ Council.

The governor on Sunday announced the formation of the council comprising elder statesmen, serving and former public officers, who are indigenes of the state to serve as his advisors.

When contacted  on whether he would accept Yusuf’s overtures, Ganduje who is the incumbent chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) through his chief of staff, Muhammad Garba, said he is interested in the development and progress of the state. He described the establishment of the council as a welcome idea if it is not politicised.

Garba, however, noted that nothing about the leadership of the council or what it entails was mentioned in the announcement.

He said with what Ganduje had achieved in terms of human and infrastructural development during his tenure as governor, it is clear that he has the interest of the state at heart.

Garba said, “If this has no political connotation to it, my principal is always ready to play his part in the development and progress of Kano State.

"This could be a political move by the governor, but if it is actually aimed at achieving the progress and development of Kano State, His Excellency Abdullahi Umar Ganduje will definitely welcome it.

"This is because from all His Excellency has achieved as governor of the state during his tenure, the human and infrastructural development, it could clearly be seen that it is aimed towards the progress of the state.

"Importantly, there is the issue of the leadership of the council and what it entails. Nothing has so far been mentioned about it. So, if it has no political connotation, my principal will definitely contribute his quota because we are after the progress and development of Kano State," he stated.

When inaugurated the Council of Elders will comprise former governors of the state and their deputies, Senate presidents, speakers of the House of Representatives, speakers of the state House of Assembly, deputy speakers, retired Supreme Court justices, retired Appeal Court judges, former chief justices of the state, former secretaries to the state government and former heads of civil service, who are indigenes of the state.

Others are the leadership of the Ulamas, the business community, the traditional rulers, former heads of security agencies from Kano State and other elders to be identified and appointed by the government.

Similarly, the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) has said its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will serve in the proposed council.

The party said Kwankwaso had paid his dues in the development of the state and would ensure that his legacies are sustained for the benefit of the people of Kano and Nigeria.

The national publicity secretary of the NNPP, Yakubu Shandam, described the constitution of the Kano advisory council by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as commendable.

“It's a welcome idea. If other governors can emulate that, Nigeria will move forward.

“Abba Gida-Gida wants to develop Kano State and the more he gets advice from the past leaders of the state the better.

“Kwankwaso developed Kano State. His blueprint is still prominent in Kano State and the present governor wants to continue from that. That's why he wants more ideas and Kwankwaso, as the leader of our party, will serve in such a council,” Shandam said.