Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, has congratulated Sanusi Lamido Sanusi over his emergence as the new Emir of Kano.

The chairman of the forum, whose congratulatory message was contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Israel Ebije, said the ascension of the new emir marked the beginning of a new era, adding that the ex-CBN governor was indeed stepping into a shoe he must learn how to properly adapt to.

The forum urged the new emir to rule without partisan considerations and to emulate the example of the late Ado Bayero, who it said endeared himself to everybody in his domain regardless of their religious or ethnic background.

While thanking the kingmakers and other aspirants to the throne on the smooth process of selecting the emir, the forum called on the Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to continue playing the role of a good umpire in helping the new emir to succeed.

The statement read, “Let me congratulate the new Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, over his ascension as Emir of Kano. God has granted him the position and he must sustain the legacies of Ado Bayero, especially in maintaining peace within Kano State, the North and Nigeria as a whole.

“The Northern States Governors Forum is indeed very happy for him and we congratulate him. It is however instructive to intimate that the position of Emir has nothing to do with being partisan or selective. It is a fatherly position where everybody must be carried along as one family regardless of religion, ethnicity or interest.

“Let me also pledge the continuous support of the forum in ensuring that he is obliged all that he needs to excel. We are aware of the fact that the traditional institution remains a focal point where political office holders can rally around for administrative, spiritual and moral support to deliver on good leadership towards giving the people best of dividend of democracy.”

The NSGF also called on those who contested the position with Sanusi to join hands and make the reign of the new emir peaceful and prosperous and to avoid fragmentation of ideas and dissipation of trust.

(PUNCH)