The Kano State Government has taken a significant step toward resolving the escalating conflict within the Yoruba community by inaugurating a reconciliatory committee on Thursday.
The move comes in response to the growing tension between two major factions within the community.
The committee was officially inaugurated by Dr. Abdullahi Bichi, the Secretary to the State Government, who acted on behalf of Governor Abba Yusuf. During the ceremony, Dr. Bichi highlighted the government’s concern over the leadership crisis among members of the Yoruba community.
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“The state government is disturbed about the leadership crisis among members of the Yoruba community, hence the need to urgently resolve the situation,” Dr. Bichi said, emphasizing the importance of the committee’s work.
The newly formed committee includes academics and a representative from the Kano Emirate Council. It has been tasked with resolving the conflict between the Oba group and the Aare group—two factions at the center of the leadership dispute.
Among the committee’s responsibilities are inviting the conflicting parties to discuss the crisis, receiving both written and oral submissions from relevant associations, interest groups, and individuals, and engaging in dialogue with organizations such as the Kano Emirate Council. The committee is also charged with identifying the immediate and underlying causes of the crisis and providing solutions and recommendations.
The committee has been given a four-week deadline to submit its report to the state government, which will then take the necessary action based on the findings.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, its chairman, Prof. Usman Muhammad, assured that the committee would employ effective conflict resolution strategies to address the issues at hand. “We are committed to finding a lasting solution to this conflict,” Prof. Muhammad stated.
The committee’s co-chairman, Dr. Ransom Bello, also expressed his gratitude to the state government for entrusting them with this critical task. He emphasized the importance of their role in fostering peace within the community.
Additionally, Abdussalam Abiola, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-community Relations for Yoruba Affairs, urged members of the Yoruba community to support the committee’s efforts. “The cooperation of the Yoruba community is essential for ensuring peace in Kano,” Abiola said, calling for unity and sacrifice during this period of reconciliation.
