Several hours after it made an embarrassing outing congratulating a fathom “Emir” yesterday, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has finally congratulated the new Emir of Kano, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, on his inauguration, saying it will not “play politics” with the revered traditional institution.
Olisa Metuh, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary in a statement on Monday said, the party “has an unflinching reverence for the traditional institution, and in that regard extends the same reverence it had for the late Emir to Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.”
Party officials in the statement said, however, that it expects the new Emir to “remain non-partisan,” a position deserving of the exalted and revered office like his predecessor.
“The PDP holds the office of the Emir of Kano in very high esteem,” the statement read. “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,” continued the PDP’s statement, “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, where elements in opposition to Sanusi’s appointment have rioted against it, the PDP urged the new Emir to take steps to unite his people, pointing out that he is not the emir of any political party but that of the entire people of the Kano Emirate.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who worked to frustrate the emergence as Emir of Sanusi, has yet to congratulate him.
