Nazifi Dawud

President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that he could not reconcile Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje and Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II because he did not have the constitutional powers to do so.

Mr Buhari said this on Friday, while receiving 7 newly elected Kano lawmakers under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who were presented to him by Mr Ganduje at the Aso Rock Villa.

The President was apparently responding to appeals by notable Nigerians to intervene in the lingering crisis between Mr Ganduje and Mr Sanusi over perceived political differences.

On Thursday, the Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Yunusa Danyaya, had pleaded with Mr Buhari to save the northern traditional institutions from destruction by resolving the Kano emirates crisis.

“I am begging the President as a father to all to please in the name of Allah to intervene in the problem happening in Kano and settle this dispute between the Emir and the Governor,” Mr Danyaya had said.

However, speaking publicly on the issue for the first time, President Buhari said he was being constrained by constitutional provisions.

“I know my role as the President of Nigeria. By the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Governor of Kano State has his own roles, once a matter is in the hands of the House of Assembly (like in Kano), the President has no constitutional right to interfere.

“I am here by the constitution, I swore by it, and I am going to stand by it. But let me tell you the bottom line of my understanding of the constitutional role is that peace and security of all Nigerians must be guaranteed, where the people are threatened, then I will use my constitutional powers.”,” he said, according to a statement by Garba Shehu, the presidents media aide.

Similarly, Mr Buhari urged the lawmakers to fulfill the promises they had made to their constituents.

“I hope you are mindful of your promises to your constituencies. You went round and you promised your constituencies. I hope the promises you made are within the resources of your State.

“If you made promises outside your resources, it will be your problem because you are going to stand again in four years time. This is very important and it is important for our party,” he said.

On his response, Mr Ganduje thanked the president for the projects he had initiated in Kano such as the renovation of the Kano – Abuja expressway as well as the construction of rail line from Kaduna to Kano, and from Kano to Niger Republic.

Others projects, according to the governor are the “gas pipeline from Ajaokuta to Kaduna and from Kaduna to Kano (AKKK), continuation of the abandoned dualisation of Kano – Katsina highway. So also the construction and equipping of the New Terminal Wing of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.”

“We are also appreciative of the efforts being put by the federal government in the areas of security and education in the state. This is highly commendable,” Mr Ganduje said.

Outlining his own achievements, the governor said: “We have done a lot in the area of security, even installing CCTV cameras in black spots and all major routes into Kano state. We also have a multi-purpose vehicle for monitoring, which has helped in arresting kidnappers and Boko Haram terrorists. We have also established an Army Training Area.”

Mr Ganduje also appealed to President Buhari to intervene in the completion of others projects and executing fresh ones.

“Your Excellency our President, we are kindly requesting Federal Government intervention for the completion of the Kano River Irrigation scheme, establishment of a Federal Medical Centre and Desilting of the 24 Dams in the our state,” Ganduje said.