The demise of Alhaji Ado Bayero, the charismatic and reverential Emir of Kano, happened slowly and predictably since his health began to deteriorate after escaping a reprehensible assassination attempt in January 2013. While convalescing at home, and building up his strength at a London hospital, a delicate power play by those wishing to succeed him was gradually developing behind the scene. Even as he was alive there was furtive succession race between numerous aristocrats and high princes.
Contenders for the vacant Kano stool flourished quickly mainly from succession of rulers from the same prominent and powerful families of MuhammaduSanusi and Ado Bayero, both descendants of AbdullahiBayero, the father of modern Kano. Each of the contestants had intimidating qualifications and requisite potentials of becoming a worthy successor. That was what made the contest a contentious, rancorous and spiteful affair capable of generating blood feud. Such has always been the case whenever a new emir is being nominated in Kano and other notable cities of Northern Nigeria.
In Hausa land the choice of a new monarch begins with an expression of interest by eligible candidates and a shortlist of three most suitable nominees is drawn up by a statutory group of six kingmakers which is transmitted to a state governor who in turn chooses the most suitable among them. In doing so the kingmakers will take into consideration the imperial background of each contestant, scrutinize his credentials and approve his character. The governor, on his part, will ascertain the eligibility of the new emir through the level of his loyalty to the government, evaluate his capacity to mobilize his people to give maximum support to its policies and his ability to carry his people along at all times. The aftermath of such exercise is often greeted with excessive mixed feelings of happiness and dissatisfaction, marked by noise and laughter as well as anguish and desolation. It is even said that the acrimonious bickering that normally accompanies the announcement of a new emir is a good omen of future happenings.
It was against that backdrop the nomination by a committee of Kingmakers and subsequent appointment by the Kano State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, of SanusiLamidoSanusi, the erstwhile Central Bank Governor and grandson of a venerable Emir, MuhammaduSanusi, provoked unfavorable reactions from many quarters and raised lots of dust which is yet to settle down. That unfortunate development was not unexceptional in Kano Emirate, it had happened many times in the past when the Emirate was under the Sokoto Caliphate from where emirs were appointed, disciplined or dethroned.
In 1963, after the death of Emir MuhammaduInuwa, the usually quiet city of Kano was rocked by a demonstration triggered by wrongful announcement of a supposed nominee for a throne whose first name corresponded with that of the distinct candidate. As a result a rift developed between actively and unreservedly enthusiastic supporters of Ado Sanusi, Dan Iyan Kano and Ado Midil as Ado Bayero was then called. That quickly deteriorated into a vendetta which was eventually normalized by the excellent brinkmanship of Alhaji Ado Beyero as he successfully persuaded his adversaries to make concessions and work together with him under harmonious atmosphere.
Interestingly, history has repeated itself last week when mischief makers deliberately pronounced Sanusi Ado as successor to his late father before an official statement confirmed SanusiLamidoSanusi as the bona fide heir. That was a deliberate ploy to create misunderstanding and cause havoc. Consequently some misguided street urchins were hurriedly mobilized by mischievous politicians and displeased royalists to set up bonfires near the emir’s place, remonstrating vehemently against the choice of SanusiLamidoSanusi instead of ChiromaSanusi Ado Bayero whom they argued was the rightful successor to his father. The police were also quick at sealing off the emir’s palace allegedly on the orders of federal government so as to frustrate the new emir and stop him from holding his court there.
Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso who had the sole responsibility of appointing the emir regretted how politics had unreasonably been introduced into what was essentially a non-partisan affair, accusing President Goodluck Jonathan and his party, the PDP of instructing his supporters and paid agents to unleash mayhem on Kano State. The governor also accused the President of plotting to arrest the new emir and instructing the police to seal off his palace. He even alleged that the President was after his life over SanusiLamido’s appointment.
However, the Kano State police Commissioner, Mr. AdereleShinaba has denied these allegations, insisting that the police had sealed off the palace to prevent miscreants from vandalizing it. Whatever is the case, the police should have liaised with the Governor, as chief security officer, before taking impulsive decisions that could have worsen the situation. Nevertheless the induced riots are all over and the security forces that blocked the new emir from accessing his magnificent palace have surprisingly reversed their role as they had happily assisted him stage a triumphant entry into its charming and captivating surroundings with multitude of his supporters victoriously and jubilantly hailing him.