PDP backtracks after prematurely congratulating Sunusi Ado Bayero as new “Emir of Kano”

Party blames assistant for “embarrassing” statement
The Peoples Democratic Party backtracked Sunday after issuing a swift but erroneous congratulation to Ado Bayero as the new Emir of Kano.
Mr. Bayero’s name was circulated on the social media Sunday, and was announced by at least one television channel, as the new emir, following the death of his father Friday.
The race to succeed the late leader, Ado Bayero, is keen between the younger Bayero and Lamido Sanusi, a former governor of the Central Bank.
Whoever emerges as winner-a decision to be announced by Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso- is seen as potentially key to next year’s general election given the state’s population.
State sources say the All Progressives Congress, APC, is backing the emergence of ex-CBN governor to counter President Goodluck Jonathan.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on the other hand appears to support any candidate but Mr. Sanusi, humiliated out of office this year after announcing that $20 billion oil money had not been accounted for.
In its first statement Sunday, which came without a formal announcement by the Kano State Government, the PDP’s spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, praised the purported appointment of Mr. Bayero as the new emir.
“Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero is a rare breed. A man of exceptional wisdom and humility. We have a new Emir who, like his father, remains a detrabilized Nigerians with an unshaken belief in the unity and peaceful coexistence of our people as a nation,” the ruling party said.
The party praised the kingmakers and other sons of Ado Bayero for choosing the first son.
Mr. Metuh said the message came from the party’s chairman, Adamu Muazu.
The Kano State Government later told PREMIUM TIMES the claims of a new emir were false.
About an hour later, the PDP issued a second statement disclaiming the first.
The party blamed the special assistant to Mr. Metuh, Richard Ihediuwa, for releasing an “embarrassing” statement and not obtaining clearance.
“Our attention has been drawn to a unauthorized statement issued on behalf of the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP by his Special Assistant, Mr. Richard Ihediwa, congratulating the eldest son of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero as the new Emir of Kano,” the party said.
“Mr. Ihediwa relied on a false news flash on the AIT and issued a statement in that direction without approval from the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh.
“This is completely embarrassing to the National Publicity Secretary and the entire leadership of the PDP.
“We hereby dissociate with the statement earlier issued and regret the embarrassment this may have caused the entire nation, the Kano Emirate and the good people of Kano state.”