The elder brother of the former Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, Malam Dahiru Shekarau, is reportedly dead.

Naija News understands that Shekarau died on Tuesday at a private hospital in Kano after a prolonged illness, family sources confirmed.

The late Shekarau was a retired Permanent Secretary in the Kano State Civil Service, where he served in various capacities across several ministries.

During his years in service, he rose through the ranks and later became Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Science and Technology, a position he held until his retirement.

He retired from active service in 2015 after reaching the peak of his civil service career.

Funeral prayers for the deceased are scheduled to be held on Wednesday at the Giginyu Jumu’at Mosque in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

Family members, associates and sympathisers are expected to attend the Janazah prayer to pay their last respects to the late civil servant, whose death has drawn tributes from colleagues and acquaintances.

In other news, the Kano State Government has refuted claims that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) includes a plan to remove the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, from the throne.

Governor Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, described the speculation as “false and misleading,” stressing that there is no intention to tamper with the emirate structure.

According to Arise TV, Bature said, “There is no plan to replace Emir Sanusi on the throne of Kano.

“The appointment of the Emir was made after the emirate law was repealed, and there is no intention at the executive level to amend it.”

He emphasised that the governor’s political realignment will not change the current status of the Kano Emirate.

Bature further stated, “Emir Sanusi has been duly appointed in accordance with the law, and the governor’s defection to the APC will not change the status quo. Emir Sanusi remains the Emir of Kano.”

Bature urged residents not to politicise the emirate issue, attributing ongoing speculation to the personal interests of some individuals rather than any government policy.

“The emirate issue is not a political decision. It is being driven by the personal interests of some individuals,” he said.

His clarification came days after the State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Waiya, said the government was pursuing dialogue and reconciliation to resolve the prolonged Kano Emirate crisis.

The emirate crisis, which has persisted for nearly two years, followed the removal of the 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, and the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II, leading to competing claims to the throne.

Speaking recently, Waiya assured that the crisis would be resolved soon as stakeholders embrace unity.