EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Abba, Rurum, Dan’agundi hold two-hour closed-door meeting as Sanusi defies Kano horse-riding ban

By Abubakar Balarabe K/Na’isa

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf; member of the House of Representatives representing Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency, Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum; and the Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Dr. Baffa Babba Dan’agundi, on Wednesday night held a private meeting that lasted for nearly two hours at the Kano State Government House. A source who witnessed the development told our correspondent that at about 10:30 p.m., Rurum and Dr. Dan’agundi were seen arriving at the Government House and proceeding directly to the Governor’s office, where they held the closed-door meeting with Governor Yusuf. The source, however, said he could not independently establish the specific issues discussed during the meeting.

According to the source, the circumstances surrounding the meeting suggested that the discussion may have been connected to the ongoing Kano Emirate dispute. The source said Governor Yusuf personally escorted Rurum and Dan’agundi out of the Government House after the meeting and was seen interacting with them in what appeared to be a cheerful and cordial atmosphere. The development, the source added, gave the impression that the meeting ended on a positive note.

When contacted for his reaction, Hon. Rurum neither confirmed nor denied the meeting. He instead said: “Is it a crime for me to meet with my friend, my brother and my political leader?” Dr. Dan’agundi also did not deny attending the meeting but declined to disclose its details, describing it as a “family affair.” He added that there was nothing wrong with him meeting his elder brother, younger brother and political leader. As of the time of filing this report, neither Rurum nor Dan’agundi had provided further details on the substance of the discussion.

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Meanwhile, in a separate development that has further heightened tensions surrounding the Kano Emirate dispute, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi (II) reportedly rode a horse despite the Kano State Government’s recent restriction on horse-riding activities within the metropolis. The state government had announced the restriction three days earlier as part of measures surrounding the current security and traditional-procession situation in Kano. Sanusi’s reported horse-riding appearance has now raised questions over whether the state government will take any action in response to the development.

Shortly after the development, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba and Senior Counsellor to the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, issued a statement on the matter. He said Emir Aminu Ado Bayero had travelled on an official engagement on Thursday morning and that they were therefore waiting to see what action the Kano State Government would take over Sanusi’s reported horse-riding appearance. He further said that supporters of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero should await the Emir’s return on Monday. According to him, since Emir Sanusi II had reportedly breached the restriction imposed by the Kano State Government three days earlier, they would, upon Emir Aminu Ado Bayero’s return, announce to the people of Kano the date and time for his planned traditional horse-riding procession to Yakasai to attend the Qur’anic graduation ceremony. He said the Bayero camp would communicate the arrangements to the public after consulting with the Emir.
(PR/ABK)