Whenever an emir dies, it is obvious, that his heir apparent or first son would automatically become the next emir. But this is no longer tenable because politics has taken the centre-stage in the selection of an emir. Therefore, when Malam Sanusi Lamido, the son of the late Ciroma of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Mohammed Sanusi and grandson of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi who was deposed as emir by Sir Ahmadu Bello, then Premier of Northern Region, was announced as the next Emir of Kano, a lot of people like this writer were not surprised.
The issue of heir apparent no longer exists as appointment into traditional institution in the north solely depends on how one is in the good book of the government of the day.
Therefore, Sanusi is in the good book of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and that of the kingmakers. The Sultan of Sokoto was appointed as the Sultan while the heir apparent or the second son of late Sir Abubakar was alive and kicking and the basis of his appointment after the death of Sultan Muhammadu Maccido was his closeness to the government of the day.
The Emir of Bauchi was appointed or selected as the emir because of his closeness to the seat of power and Governor Isa Yuguda. The same pattern followed recently when the Emir of Gombe died, his second son, because of his closeness to the government of day headed Governor Hassan Dankwambo, was appointed Emir of Gombe.
These days, one has to be close to the seat of power for him to be made an emir based on the powers conferred on a governor to make a choice from the names submitted to him by the kingmakers.
And it was based on the powers of the Governor of Kano through the Kano State Chiefs Appointment and Disposition Law of 1984 that he picked Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi even if to spite the federal government by the removal of Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Governor of the Central Bank.
Let no body live under the illusion that there is no politics in the selection of Emirs in the north.
Usman Santuraki,
No2 Santuraki Close,
Jambutu Ward, Jimeta, Yola.
