Kano state governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has declared that the two
week ultimatum given to Southerners in Kano to leave the state, by a
non-governmental organization, Northern Youth Development Foundation,
is null and void.
“No one has the authority to sack you from this place. Kano is your
home and you have come to stay”, the governor stressed.
Kwankwaso stated this when Kano state Non Indigenes Forum paid him a
courtesy call at Government House, Kano on Tuesday, pointing out that
his government does not support the call as it will result in
acrimony, thus, not in the best interest of Nigerians.
He said the allegation that the administration of Gov. Rochas Okorocha
of Imo state planned to take measures aimed at returning Northerners
in his states to their states of origin is false as the Imo state
governor, being a detribalized Nigerian with substantial investments
in the North could not initiate such a policy.
“I am sure Owelle Okorocha’s investments in the North outweigh the
investments by Northerners in Imo state put together. Look at even the
Rochas Foundation School he built here and other investments. Such
intention about driving away people from his state could not have come
from him”.
“I have personally spoken to Rochas and he openly and candidly told me
that the there was nothing like that and the news was the handiwork of
detractors who never wish him well” Kwankwaso added.
Gov. Kwankwaso, however, called on federal government to avoid
measures aimed at worsening ethnic, sectional and religious discord
among Nigerians, alleging that President Jonathan is creating
unnecessary political tension in the country, which is harmful to
national interests.
“Tension caused by the government is probably the worst tension; we
have cases where governors are worried and concerned either about
their security of lives and properties or security of their jobs so
also other elected officials as well as businessmen and women across
the country,” he lamented.
Earlier, leader of the delegation, Dr. Jimpat Aiyelangbe said they
were at the governor’s office to lodge complaint over a letter sent to
them by a group of youth asking non indigenes to leave the state
within two weeks.
Dr. Aiyelangbe lamented that since the letter was delivered to the,
they have being having sleepless nights, noting that if government
does not take appropriate action on time things could get out of hand.
