Finally, PDP congratulates Sanusi

By Lawrence Olaoye & Umar Muhammad Puma.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) late yesterday congratulated the axed Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who has been appointed the new Emir of Kano.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, which sounded conciliatory, however urged the new Emir to be non-partisan as his status has changed.

The ruling party, which also said it would not play politics with a revered traditional institution asserted that, “The PDP holds the Office of the Emir of Kano in very high esteem. We, therefore, give the new Emir our prayers and urge him to ensure that the sanctity of the throne and the traditional institution are absolutely guarded and preserved.

“We are very much aware that his status has changed and we pray the Almighty Allah, who alone confers authority, to grant him the wisdom and good health to lead his people to peace and prosperity.

Calling for calm in Kano, the PDP urged the new Emir to take steps to unite his people and note that he is not the emir of any political party but that of the entire people of the Kano Emirate.

The new Emir was sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan in controversial circumstances after he alleged that the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has not been able to account for $20 billion which ought to be remitted into the government coffers.

Recall that the party had, at the weekend, hurriedly issued a statement in which it congratulated the his rival Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero the son of the late emir Ado Bayero that had not been selected by the constituted authority as the new Emir of Kano.

The party later withdrew the statement it released earlier saying it was done on error.

According to the new statement from the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the earlier statement was unauthorized.