Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State on Friday visited the dethroned Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, in Awe, his current abode in Nasarawa State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convoy of the Kaduna State Governor arrived the residence about 12:45 p.m.
Upon arrival, the governor went into a close door meeting with the deposed Emir. The meeting lasted more than one hour.
NAN reports that the duo later drove to the Friday Mosque located at the Palace of the Emir of Awe, with none of them ready to speak with anxious newsmen on what they discussed.
The Emir of Awe, Isa Abubakar, and his Shabu counterpart, Sangari Shabu, Mohammed Bwala, had earlier visited the deposed Emir.
Sanusi, who was dethroned by the Kano government on March 9, 2020 was initially taken to Loko, in Nasarawa State, before relocating to Awe.
A detailed account of the meeting of both men and their subsequent departure for Abuja was given in a statement issued in Kaduna.
It reads in full:
Governor Nasir El Rufai has visited his long time friend, ideological soul mate and confidante, His Highness Muhammad Sanusi II, as a mark of solidarity over his temporary travails at Awe town in Nasarawa State.
A statement issued from Sir Kashim Ibrahim House (Kaduna Government House) on Friday, said that ‘’the Governor who drove from Abuja to Awe town, met His Highness in high spirits, demonstrating his usual calm, poise and regal bearing amidst what has befallen in the last four days. ‘’
The statement which was signed by Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser on Media and Communication, said that ‘’His Highness seems to have taken all that happened in his stride but has reiterated his commitment to enforce his fundamental human rights. ‘’
‘’Sanusi II, the 14th Fulani Emir of Kano, manifested a renewed vigour to continue serving humanity in his life long efforts to expand the frontiers of knowledge so that Nigeria will not remain a perpetual potentially great nation,’’ he said.
According to the Special Adviser, Governor El Rufai arrived Awe town shortly before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had granted an interim order, releasing Sanusi from detention.
Adekeye said that Governor El Rufai and His Highness later drove to the mosque, where the latter led the jumma’at prayer, adding that hundreds of well wishers lined up the road of Awe to hail His Highness on his way to the mosque and back to his residence.
The statement further said that the duo rode in Governor El Rufai’s car to Abuja, from where Sanusi II will proceed to Lagos.
Additional reports by NAN