President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday visited the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, in his palace, in his bid to get the traditional ruler’s blessing for his re-election.
He was in the city in continuation of the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential campaigns.
The relationship between the two became strained last year when the President suspended Sanusi as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Jonathan had suspended Sanusi as the apex bank’s boss over what was described as financial recklessness and thereafter directed the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria to further investigate him.
Shortly after his suspension, however, Sanusi became the Emir of Kano following the death of the former occupant of the stool, Alhaji Ado Bayero.
There were unconfirmed reports then that the Presidency moved to ensure that Sanusi did not emerge as the Emir.
During the Wednesday visit, Jonathan congratulated Sanusi on his installation and condoled with him and the people of the emirate on Bayero’s demise.
He told the traditional ruler that he was in his palace to formally introduce himself, Vice President Namadi Sambo and other PDP candidates in the election.
“I am here to seek your royal blessing and to reassure the people of Kano that PDP is totally committed to developing the country,” he told the monarch.
In his response, Sanusi thanked Jonathan for the visit and expressed the hope that his campaign in the state would be hitch-free.
He stressed the need for all office seekers to go about their campaigns without violence.
“Democracy is all about giving people the chance to make their choice and so, there is no need for violence,” he said.
Sanusi urged the people to accept the verdict after the election and rally around whoever emerges the winner.
He also advised the Federal Government to intensify efforts aimed at ensuring security in all parts of the country before, during and after the elections.
Sanusi prayed for the emergence of leaders that would move the country forward.
He also promised that he would make himself available to give advice to governments at any levels.
Meanwhile, Jonathan has promised that no country currently at par with Nigeria will be able to overtake it in terms of development