By Maryam Usman Nagado
The Kano State Government has moved to clarify its position on the formation of an elders’ advisory body, stating that a state-sanctioned council is already in the works and inviting other groups to join its initiative.
This statement comes in response to a recent pronouncement by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on establishing a similar group, termed the “Kano State Elders Council.”
In a press release signed by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the government expressed appreciation for the ACF’s “noble intentions” but firmly noted that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had already announced the creation of the Kano Elders Advisory Council (KEAC) in January 2024.
“The State Government respectfully wishes to inform the Forum and the general public that… efforts have been ongoing to institutionalize the structure for an effective take-off,” the statement read.
The government outlined that its own council is designed to be a comprehensive, non-partisan body composed of the state’s most esteemed figures. The listed members include:
· Former Governors, Deputy Governors, and Speakers of the State and National Assemblies.
· Retired Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Justices.
· Former Chief Judges and Grand Khadis of Kano State.
· Senior former civil servants, respected Islamic scholars (Ulamas), business leaders, traditional rulers, and retired security chiefs.
Described as a “neutral, non-partisan, and apolitical platform,” the KEAC is intended to operate on the “wisdom, experience, and knowledge” of its members for the benefit of the people of Kano.
In a call for unity, the state government invited all organizations and interested groups to align with its established framework rather than create a parallel structure.
“We firmly believe that by working together, we can strengthen the operations of the Council and ensure that its objectives are fully realized,” the Commissioner stated.
The government confirmed that the formalization process is nearing completion and that Governor Yusuf will officially inaugurate the council soon. The statement concluded by reiterating the administration’s commitment to an “open-door policy” to sustain peace and development in the state.