KANO— EMIR of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, yesterday, tongue-lashed the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, for coming late to his palace during a courtesy visit, describing the action as “unfair.”
Sambo and his entourage had informed the palace of their intention to visit Alhaji Bayero but eventually got there about three hours late.
Apparently angered by the lateness of the Vice President and his entourage, Bayero expressed disappointment over the issue saying that as a stickler to time, he abhorred it.
He equally dismissed earlier assurances by the vice president that the Federal Government would complete the power projects initiated by the government in the state, noting: “We have the experience of unredeemed promises by successive administrations over the last 20 years.”
Bayero said: “You (Sambo) alerted us of your desire to pay a courtesy call on the palace by 10.00 am, and we have been ready for you since 9.30am only for you to turn up by 1.00pm. It is highly unfair.
Respect for time
“I belong to the old school of late Nigerian Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, where respect for time is total.”
The Emir further told the vice president that he would not attend the function which he had come to Kano to perform because, “officially I was not invited for your programme, and would, therefore, not grace it but want to advise on the need to keep to time.”
He also queried the outgoing Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, who was in the entourage of the vice president on why he failed to educate the august visitor on the importance the palace attached to timeliness.
Vanguard learnt that the Emir’s outburst might not be unconnected with efforts being made by the Palace to identify with masses following the post election revolt that led to the killing of about 800 people as well as the destruction of property worth billions of Naira in some states in the north.
Bayero admonished the Federal Government to upgrade the facilities at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport to international standards instead of expending fund on the extension of the terminal alone.
The vice president who was visibly shaken after being allegedly humiliated by the Emir left the palace after chorusing an “apology.”
Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media, Alhaji Umar Sani, said: “Well the Emir’s outburst is painful, but I do not think this is good for the consumption of the public.”
Namadi Sambo was in Kano to commission the domestic terminal building that took nine years to complete as well as commission the upgraded power project and lay the foundation for the new international terminal building at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.
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