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  • Make clear commitment to abolish double pay, pensions laws – SERAP tells Yari

    Make clear commitment to abolish double pay, pensions laws – SERAP tells Yari

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged “the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari to emulate the example of Senate President Bukola Saraki and make a clear public commitment that the Governors’ Forum and all governors will take immediate steps to abolish double emoluments laws for former governors and deputies in their states.”

    Saraki yesterday disclosed how he inspired the passing of the bill by the Kwara State House of Assembly to suspend payment of pensions to former governors and their deputies when they hold a public office and called on other state assemblies to take a cue from Kwara and pass similar laws in their states.

    This followed SERAP’s request to Saraki on Tuesday urging him to “use his leadership position to sponsor a resolution in the Senate that would call on other states to abolish payment of double emoluments to ex-governors and their deputies.”

    SERAP in a statement today by its deputy director Timothy Adewale said, “Governor Yari should show leadership by example by starting the campaign within the Governors’ Forum to abolish double emoluments laws from his own Zamfara State, which has passed laws allowing former governors to receive pension for life; two personal staff; two vehicles replaceable every four years; two drivers, free medical for the former governors and deputies and their immediate families in Nigeria or abroad; a 4-bedroom house in Zamfara and an office; free telephone and 30 days paid vacation outside Nigeria.”

    According to the organization, “Following the positive engagement and intervention by the Senate President on the matter, it is now indefensible for the Governors’ Forum to remain indifferent to the issue of double emoluments for ex-governors and their deputies. We urge Governor Yari to speak out strongly against double pensions laws and encourage his colleagues to urgently take measures to abolish such laws in their states for the sake of millions of Nigerians who deserve good governance and sustainable development.”

    The statement read in part: “By providing the necessary leadership on the matter, Governor Yari will be sending a powerful message to his colleagues that public function is meant to be exercised in the public interest. Such public commitment and action to abolish double emoluments laws would also be entirely consistent with article 19 of the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party.”

    “Given the strong influence of senators on their states, we also urge the Senate President to now build on his public statement to state assemblies by immediately taking steps to sponsor a resolution at the Senate on the matter.”

    “The abolition of such laws is a necessary first step towards delivering on the constitutional promise of equal protection and equal benefit of the law for a distressingly large number of Nigerians. Otherwise, public officials will remain seriously out of touch with a major source of poverty and discrimination in the country.”

    It would be recalled that the Federal High Court in Lagos in January ruled that SERAP “has sufficient interest to bring its suit to stop former governors and now serving senators and ministers from receiving double pay and life pensions, and to seek recovery of over N40bn of public funds unduly received by these public officers.”

    Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo stated this while granting leave in the suit number FHC/L/CS/1497/17 filed last year by SERAP to compel the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN to “challenge the legality of states’ laws that allow former governors who are now senators and ministers to enjoy governors’ emoluments while drawing normal salaries and allowances in their new political offices and to identify those involved and seek full recovery of public funds from them.”

    It would also be recalled that following SERAP’s letter to Mr Malami, Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki last year told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja that he wrote a letter to the state government to stop the payment of the pension “the moment I saw that SERAP allegation.” He said, “No, I’m not collecting pension; the moment I saw that allegation, I wrote to my state to stop my pension.”

    So far, Dr. Kayode Fayemi Minister of Mines and Steel Development and his counterparts in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, and Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola have denied ever receiving double payments and retirement benefits as former governors in addition to other roles in public office.

    SERAP’s letter to Malami read in part: “According to our information, those who reportedly receive double emoluments and large severance benefits from their states include: Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano); Kabiru Gaya (Kano); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Theodore Orji (Abia); Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa); Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara); Joshua Dariye (Plateau), and Jonah Jang (Plateau). Others include: Ahmed Sani Yarima (Zamfara); Danjuma Goje (Gombe); Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe); Adamu Aliero (Kebbi); George Akume (Benue); and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers).”

    “Under the Lagos Pension Law a former governor will enjoy the following benefits for life: Two houses, one in Lagos and another in Abuja estimated to cost between N500m and N700m. Others are six brand new cars every three years; furniture allowance of 300 percent of annual salary every two years, and a close to N2.5m as pension (about N30m pension annually); free medicals including for his immediate families; 10 percent house maintenance; 30 percent car maintenance; 10 percent entertainment; 20 percent utility; and several domestic staff.”

    “In Rivers, state law provides 100 percent of annual basic salaries for ex-governor and deputy, one residential house for former governor anywhere of his choice in Nigeria; one residential house anywhere in Rivers for the deputy, three cars for the ex-governor every four years; two cars for the deputy every four years; 300 percent of annual basic salary every four years for furniture; 10 percent of annual basic salary for house maintenance.”

    “In Akwa Ibom, state law provides for N200m annual pay to ex governors, deputies; pension for life; a new official car and utility-vehicle every four years; one personal aide and provision of adequate security; a cook, chauffeurs and security guards for the governor at a sum not exceeding N5m per month and N2.5m for the deputy governor; free medical services for governor and spouse totaling N100m for the governor per annum and N50m for the deputy governor; a five-bedroom mansion in Abuja and Akwa Ibom; and allowance of 300 percent of annual basic salary for the deputy governor; 300 percent of annual basic salary every four years and severance gratuity.”

    “Similarly, the Kano State Pension Rights of Governor and Deputy Governor Law 2007 provides for 100 percent of annual basic salaries for former governor and deputy; furnished and equipped office; a 6-bedroom house; well-furnished 4-bedroom for deputy, plus an office; free medical treatment along with immediate families within and outside Nigeria where necessary; two drivers; and a provision for a 30- day vacation within and outside Nigeria.”

    “In Gombe State, there is N300 million executive pension benefits for the ex-governors. In Kwara State, the 2010 law gives a former governor two cars and a security car replaceable every three years; a well-furnished 5-bedroom duplex; 300 per cent of his salary as furniture allowance; five personal staff; three State Security Services; free medical care for the governor and the deputy; 30 percent of salary for car maintenance; 20 per cent for utility; 10 percent for entertainment; 10 per cent for house maintenance.”

    “In Sokoto State, former governors and deputy governors are to receive N200m and N180m respectively being monetization for other entitlements which include domestic aides, residence and vehicles that could be renewed after every four years.”

  • Zamfara Massacre: Buhari and I have failed on our campaign promises – Yari

    Zamfara Massacre: Buhari and I have failed on our campaign promises – Yari

    …Says he alerted security agencies of impending attacks 24 hours earlier

    Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State on Friday said the recent killings in the state where about 38 people died was a clear indication that he and President Muhammadu Buhari failed on their campaign promises of securing the lives and properties of residents of the state.

    The governor also said he alerted security agencies of the impending attacks 24 hours before it actually happened.

    Recall that some bandits had on Wednesday night invaded Zurmi LGA of the state killing 38 innocent people.

    Speaking Friday evening when he led five northern governors on a sympathy visit to the palace of the Emir of Zurmi, Yari said security agencies in the area have failed to tackle the problem of cross-border banditry and terrorism bedevilling communities in the area.

    The governor added: “I feel I let down the people of this state whenever I remember the promise I made to them that when they elect President Muhammadu Buhari into power, these killings will end. But unfortunately, things are now getting worse. I urge security agencies to up the ante so as not to lose this war.”

    Yari also said when he alerted the security agencies, they sent inadequate personnel to confront the bandits.

    In his remarks, the Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, echoed Yari’s words, adding that if not for the bravery of vigilante groups who confronted the bandits, the casualty figures would have been higher.

    Giving insight into what really happened, the Emir alleged that 600 bandits attempted to invade Zurmi but were repelled by vigilantes. “They came on many motorcycles, with three persons on each bike, each of them well-armed. We stationed 500 vigilante members who stood their ground and gallantly fought. Unfortunately, these same bandits turned their anger on travellers and other villagers on their way here, that was why we had 39 people killed.”

    The Emir said the bandits are known, with their major hideout in a village called Kagara, very close to Bafarawa in Sokoto State. “Majority of weapons used by bad people in this country are brought in from this area. I had reason to personally inform Zamfara State Director of DSS sometime back that a large cache of weapons have been brought into the country but no concrete action was taken,” he said.

    “I don’t need to repeat here that we need a full battalion of soldiers here and in areas surrounding Maru, Maradun, Shinkafi and Zurmi LGAs,” the visibly angry Emir said.

    In his remarks, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno appealed to the people not to lose patience. He sympathized with the victims and prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest. In addition, governors on the entourage included Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, and Umar Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa states.

  • Tambuwal, Yari team up to fix Sokoto-Gusau federal highway

    Sokoto and Zamfara state governments have completed the repairs of the 214 km Sokoto-Gusau federal highway to ease transportation challenges encountered by commuters plying the important route.

    This was contained in a statement issued in Sokoto Monday by Malam Imam Imam, the spokesman to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

    The road, which connects Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina all through to Kaduna states, was fixed at the cost of N100 million.

    “The two states combined resources to fix the road as it is the main link between their capitals and other parts of the country. It is one of the most important roads in the North West because it connects to other routes leading to the neighbouring Niger Republic,” the statement added.

    It said while Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara shouldered the responsibility for fixing the Gusau -Tureta portion of the road, Tambuwal’s government provided funds for the fixing of the route between Tureta and Sokoto town.

    The statement added that a submission will be made to the federal government for a refund since the highway belongs to it.

    “The important thing is to achieve zero portholes on the crucial route and this has been achieved. The effort has enhanced the safety of vehicles and commuters. It has also improved movement of goods especially agricultural products because it is a major Agric zone in the federation,” the statement added.

  • $3m Lagos Hotel: I didn’t become governor to be abused by a DCP, enough is enough – Yari

    $3m Lagos Hotel: I didn’t become governor to be abused by a DCP, enough is enough – Yari

    Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State has said he has had enough of the harassments from the Ibrahim Magu led Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    The governor, however, threatened to report the EFCC boss to the Federal Government for intimidating him and other governors “for no just cause.”

    Yari made the disclosure against the backdrop of allegations by the EFCC that he allegedly used N500m from the Paris refund loan to offset his personal loan obtained from First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited.

    The anti-graft agency also alleged parts of the Paris Club loan refund were diverted from the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF’s account on Yari’s instruction.

    But, Yari, who is the Chairman of NGF berated the agency, for not “tidying its work” before going to court.

    Addressing journalists in Abuja, Yari said all the allegations are lies, adding that, “all EFCC wants is for Nigerians to know it has invited a governor or that one former governor is arrested.”

    He said, “I am going to write to the federal government that enough is enough; that either the EFCC should do its work or we should ‘do showdown’ with them (EFCC) because nobody became governor to be intimidated, to be harassed, to be abused by a DCP.

    “You can’t fight corruption that way and forever, they (EFCC) will not achieve anything.

    “In the case of my humble self, I have no idea why the EFCC is actually interested in the issue of the London Paris Club refund. It has been on this since inception up till now. It has been repeating, contradicting so many things especially about personalities”.

  • Magu using EFCC to blackmail state governors‎ – Fayose

    Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, on Wednesday said the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu was using the Paris Club refund to “blackmail” state governors.

    Fayose made the claim while lamenting the incessant harassment of serving governors in the country, especially the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Zamfara State, Abudulazeez Yari

    In a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka , Fayose said “The EFCC is obviously blackmailing State Governors on the Paris Club refunds.”

    Fayose, who said that Governor Yari, as the leader of all the State Governors in Nigeria deserved some level of respect from “Magu and his gangs in the EFCC,” added that “Rushing to court to seek forfeiture of properties on which no one had been convicted and maligning the NGF chairman is to say the least, irresponsible.”

    The governor described the “onslaught on Governor Yari as a direct attack on all the governors of the 36 States” of Nigeria, adding that all the “governors to rise and protect the NGF.”

    He pointed out that the Paris Club refunds was occasioned by the Federal Government’s illegal conversion of funds belonging to the States and Local Governments, adding that it was absurd that the Federal Government, which illegally used money belonging to the States and Local Governments for its own purpose was the one giving conditions as to how the refund must be spent.

    “It is like a man stealing your money and now coming back to give you conditions to refund the money he stole and also telling you how to spend the money,” he said.

    The governor said it was the height of rascality for the EFCC to keep feeding the public with falsehood and maligning the hard-earned integrity of Nigerians, especially former and serving governors.

  • $3m Lagos Hotel: Magu, EFCC planning to nail Yari as scapegoat – Governors

    $3m Lagos Hotel: Magu, EFCC planning to nail Yari as scapegoat – Governors

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, has advised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and its chairman, Ibrahim Magu, to desist from unnecessary “shadow-boxing” and do the needful by leaving Abdulaziz Yari, Governor of Zamfara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, to face his job.

    The NGF stated this Wednesday in a statement by its spokesperson, Abdulrazak Barkindo.

    The statement reads: “This is because our chairman and governor of Zamfara State Dr Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar had for the umpteenth time told the commission that he neither owns a plot of land in Lagos nor owns or intends to build a hotel in Lagos.

    “Yari had denied any links with a $3 million hotel in Lagos which some online media attributed to him and in fact sued the publications responsible for that insidious report for libel. But for want of scapegoats in its battle against the National Assembly, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission continues to drag the governor’s name in the mud in a veiled effort to divert attention from the matters of the moment,” the NGF said.

    The NGF also urged Nigerians to note that the EFCC action on the issue is not about any missing funds anymore, saying, “the NGF would like to categorically emphasise that it did not, at any material time, receive any funds from the Paris London refunds on behalf of any states”.

    It said the Ministry of Finance remitted all states funds to them directly from the federation accounts.

    “What the NGF received, it must be repeated here, was monies due to the consortium of consultants who verified the amounts due to all the states that were owed.

    “Furthermore, the NGF would like to state that its involvement with the Paris-London Club refunds had saved the states colossal amounts of money individually and collectively because instead of the high percentages agreed upon by the individual states to their separate consultants, the NGF drew the percentages down to 2% which was paid to the consortium,” it said.

    The NGF also said before then, states had agreed to pay consultants between 10 and 30 per cent as commission for recovering the over-deductions.

    “It is however understandable that in the absence of a fall guy, the EFCC has consistently maligned the person of the Zamfara State governor and Chairman of the NGF, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, even when the need to so do was untenable, ridiculous and absent.

    “The NGF is asking the commanding heights of the EFCC to instead look elsewhere for its real or imagined enemies and allow Yari Abubakar to face enormous task of governing his state and leading the governors of Nigeria,” the statement said.

     

  • I have no plot of land, Hotel in Lagos, EFCC sponsoring malicious publications against me – Yari

    Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State has debunked allegations that he is building a $3m hotel in Lagos from Paris-London Club refunds.

    In a statement signed by Head of Public Affairs, Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat, Abulrazque Barkindo, Yari said he does not have a plot of land, let alone a hotel.

    He further said the allegations were “harmful, damaging and libelous insinuations which remain largely unsubstantiated.”

    “Reports on Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar of Zamfara state, and chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum making the rounds that the ‘governor is building a $3m hotel from monies stolen from the Paris-London Club refunds to states’ give cause for worry,” the statement read.

    “The reports contain harmful, damaging and libelous insinuations which remain largely unsubstantiated despite the fact that it attributes the leaks to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), officials in Lagos.

    “Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar has said emphatically that he does not even own a plot of land in Lagos not to talk of a hotel.

    “But the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission officials in Lagos claimed as follows: that “they have found a hotel being constructed by Governor Yari of Zamfara state with $3m he stole from London-Paris Club loan refund to Nigerian states.

    “That “apart from the $3million, Governor Yari also diverted N500 million from the Paris Club refund to pay off a loan”, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) source revealed to an online medium.

    “The medium also added that EFCC officials in Lagos revealed that “overall the governor embezzled the sum of N2.2 billion from the N19billion set aside illegally to pay ‘consultants’, all of which are wrong, harmful, libellous and misleading disclosures.

    “Governor Abdulaziz Yari is not building any hotel in Lagos nor were any monies stolen or embezzled from the Paris-London Club refunds to states or from any other source.

    “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was quoted extensively as source of that report and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum is alarmed that the EFCC continues to feed the media fibs at the expense of its hard-earned reputation as the anti- graft agency that Nigerians used to respect,” the statement read.

    “This is perhaps why the EFCC has lost most of the high-profile corruption cases at the law courts after it had unfairly stage-managed media trials and caused their victims personal pain and public umbrage.

    “This report, typical of most of the exclusive leaks that are becoming characteristic of the sources that court some sections of the media, lacks detail and compelling evidence to be fit to print.

    “The sources were courageous enough to mention a hotel in Lekki area of Lagos but gave neither a street name nor any specific information on the property to give credibility to the allegations. This does no service to any investigation nor does it help the development of our country Nigeria.

    “The media, we all know, is entitled to perform its duties as watchdog of society, which is enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “It is not, however, entitled to make unfair attacks, based on unfounded, false and unsubstantiated allegations against responsible public office holders.

    “The media should support the EFCC in ensuring that convicting people on the pages of newspapers shouldn’t be the focus of the EFCC in its war against corruption.

    “Instead, EFCC should channel its energies to a comprehensive, thorough and credible investigation that can stand the scrutiny of legal examination in court.”

     

  • Paris Club Refund: We’ll resolve all court cases amicably — Yari

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Abdulaziz Yari, said the forum would resolve all pending court cases on the Paris Club refund.

    Yari said this while speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Some consultants were said to have dragged the forum to court over their commission.

    Yari who is also the governor of Zamfara State said: “It (litigation) is because there is money involved, when there was no money nobody took us to court.

    “So, now that the money is there, some are saying that they have been either short-changed or are not being paid accordingly.

    “There are some issues that are in court and we are going to resolve them.”

    Yari said the forum would also protect the images of governors.

    “It is important to protect our images, that of the forum and each and every governor,” he said.

  • World Malaria Day: US names Yari, Dangote Ambassadors in Nigeria

    The United States has announced Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar of Zamfara State and President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote as its Malaria Fight Ambassadors in Nigeria.

    The recognition, bestowed on the recipients on Monday, was jointly organized by the United States International Development Agency (USAID), the US President’s Malaria Initiative in Nigeria and the United States Mission in Nigeria.

    Yari was named along with Alhaji Aliko Dangote as the ambassadors of Malaria fight for 2016 in Public and Private Sectors respectively, at this Year’s World Malaria Day in recognition of their contributions to the fight against Malaria in Nigeria.

    The event took place at the Embassy of the United States of America in Abuja and was witnessed by the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewale; the Deputy Head of US Mission in Nigeria, Mr. David Young and Head of the USAID.

    The recipients in separate goodwill messages, expressed their appreciation over the efforts of the United States Government, the USAID and the PMI in the fight against Malaria.


    Yari urged President Trump of the United States to consider the American Interest in the Developing Nations as key and strategic to the US economic and other humanitarian development policies.

    Yari said: “As leader of the world, there is greater need for the government of the United States of America and President Donald Trump to consider other countries, particularly countries with US interest in the US economic and humanitarian development policies.”

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum said the NGF will continue to collaborate with the US Government and other Donor Agencies in the fight against Malaria and other diseases in Nigeria.

    Yari also expressed delight over an official declaration at the occasion that, Zamfara is 0.9% of HIV/AIDS Infection.

    He said since he came on board as the Governor of the State in 2011, he adopted a holistic approach to the fight against HIV/AIDS, involving Traditional Rulers, politicians, Government Officials, and Professionals.

    Yari explained further that part of his administration’s strategy include adhering to the advice by the professionals, and the International Donor Agencies.

  • ‘Practice what you preach’ Yari replies Sanusi

    Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari has responded to several criticisms from Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

    Yari through his Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment and Communication, Ibrahim Dosara lambasted Sanusi in a report titled, “Practice What you Preach”

    The report reads, “For those who consider the emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II to be anything but a first class intellectual, a consummate banker and a bona fide member of Nigeria’s royalty, the last couple of weeks were a dizzying spectacle of mixed messages on integrity, royalty and wisdom.

    Within a perimeter of weeks, HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II, whose royal tentacles and social networks traverse the length and breadth of this country, lambasted the nation’s economic framework, the northern elite, sub-national leadership especially the governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar and the traditional institution of marriage.

    All frontiers that we hold so dear.

    With due respect to our highly revered traditional institutions and royal fathers, as a blue-blooded family member himself, Hon Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar holds the emir in very high esteem. He believes that the emir as a brother and co-occupant of elite positions in Nigeria, he could advice governors and those in positions of authority in several chains of communication that are richly available to him. But he preferred the public platform, for reasons best known to him.

    Governor Yari firmly believes that a country that goes to its pastors and Imams who recommend prayer and fasting as the solution to every social misfortune, from matrimonial disagreements, to social and economic complications needs to be wary of the wrath of God in the event of an epidemic of unquantifiable proportion such as Type C meningitis. And as a country that succumbs to the supremacy of Allah, we must continue to link Him with all things, fair or foul.

    Those who want to equate science with God, like HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II can denounce Yari’s statement from the rooftops but that will not change Governor Yari’s beliefs in the omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence of Allah.

    By a certain bizarre coincidence too, like a prophesy foretold, Sheikh Mahmood Jaafar had before he was assassinated named Sanusis Lamido Sanusi as one of those whose hypocrisy would bring an epidemic of monumental proportions to this country. The tapes are very much in circulation long after Sheikh Jaafar death,

    He had argued in that sermon that “Sanusi Lamido is one of the enemies of Islam who would assume all traits of a good Muslim but deep inside them is a hatred of Islam, and the people far beyond human imagination.” Could this be a prophecy foretold?

    However, the emir should be aware that Allah who gives power to whoever He wills at His own time, also takes it away at the most inauspicious time. As elected officials, we are obliged to serve people just as we serve God. Within this precinct Governor Yari has done his best. As representatives of the best of our traditions, our Emirs, chiefs, kings and queens are also obliged to lead by example, show empathy, adjudicate with compassion, display wisdom and embrace the fear of God, in all they do. In this HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II is struggling.

    Recently, our erudite emir has been mired in several controversies, which rather than enhance his profile and the integrity of royalty, has put him very much on the spot. And the emir has put up a spirited defense of all the allegations against him. But he was not transparent enough, as he always accused officials, especially governors, to tell the public what he found in the Kano Emirate palace coffers when he ascended the exalted throne. This is the least of his people’s expectations of him. It was the first that our finest royalty would offer.

    Sacrifice is another attribute known to our royal fathers. But when an emir pledges to commit his hard earned resources for the face-lifting of the palace where he alone would reside and eventually transfers the burden to his impoverished subjects, there is a breach, or a problem.

    Late Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki, of blessed memory, used his money to rebuild the Sultan’s Palace in Sokoto to his taste, but until his demise, he never tendered the bill to his subjects for reimbursement.

    Over time, we know our traditional fathers for their compassion. When their friends from far and near offer to assist them, they would rather the assistance was given to alleviate the sufferings of their people in cash or kind. But for a traditional ruler who identifies the problems of his people and utters these words: “We are in denial. The north-west and the north-east, demographically, constitute the bulk of Nigeria’s population, but look at human development indices, look at the number of children out of school, look at adult literacy, look at maternal mortality, look at infant mortality, look at girl-child completion rate, look at income per capita… The north-east and the north-west Nigeria are among the poorest parts of the world,” and yet when his friends offered help, he asks for a Rolls Royce.

    There is more than a fundamental problem. There is a big disconnect. Like Governor Yari has always said, his respect for our creator will never waver. He will also rue joining issues with royalty, in Nigeria or anywhere in the world. He maintains that his reverence of the institution that HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II represents is also unshaken. Hon Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar is only asking HRH to either practice what he preaches or forever keep his peace, because in a situation where epidemics are taking our children, maternal mortality, uneducated youth, social vices and incompetent leaders are the national scourge, to borrow the words of the emir, and all he wants to do is ride a Rolls Royce in the face of palpable poverty, he shouldn’t engage in throwing accusations at others.

    Kano kingdom is an important kingdom amongst the kingdoms in Africa. It is also an important and strategic institution in the history of Nigeria. The occupants of the seat before HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II played a significant and dignified role in making Nigeria what it is today. They respected themselves. HRH should emulate his predecessors and not play to the gallery in a manner that ridicules his own heritage.