A Golden Jubilee par excellence

Also published in Daily Trust 

Alhaji Ado Bayero, Emir of Kano

The highly respected emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ado Bayero had reason to celebrate his Golden Jubilee, because, among other things, he alone has so far reigned for almost a quarter of the total two hundred and eight years of the reign of Fulani aristocratic ruling dynasty in Kano, which began in 1805. By the way, I recollect when, though as a young teenager then, Ado Bayero celebrated his Silver Jubilee twenty five years ago. The famous Silver Jubilee square in Kano metropolis with its magnificent steel structure, had, until recently when it had to be demolished for the ongoing flyover construction and road expansion project, stood superbly to keep the memory of that glamorous celebration alive.

Blessed with a matchless charisma and majestic glamour, Takawa, as Ado Bayero is fondly hailed and applauded, represents the essence of royalty and indeed the mental image that pops up in mind whenever the issue of royalty comes up. Besides, what particularly distinguishes Takawa in the sight of the successive federal and state governments’ officials is his widely acclaimed sense of contentedness and self-esteem, which many observers cite as the reasons behind the tremendous respect he commands, particularly from the ruling elite all over the country. Yet Takawa is as glamorous as any world-class monarch anyway, apparently owing to his successful business venture which, being Bakano, isn’t surprising after all.

These, among other things, explain why many Kanawa express scepticism over the ability of the next emir, whoever he might be, to enjoy the same level of love and command the same level of public respect. Many Kanawa believe that the essence and the secret behind the ability of Kano emirate to maintain its popularity despite many challenges would simply dissipate with Takawa’s demise.

Nevertheless, Kano throne has not always been soft for Takawa having grappled with many challenges ranging from occasional coldness, which would sometimes characterize the relationship between him on one hand and the government, either state of federal on the other, to a quasi-popular sedition by some misguided members of the public.

For instance, he had strained relationships at various times with Buhari/Idiagbon-led junta, late Abubakar Rimi-led Kano state government and, as widely speculated, with the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

Furthermore, at various occasions, Takawa has suffered from some irresponsible acts of disrespect by some irresponsible people, the last and indeed the worst of which was the widely condemned attempt on his life earlier this year. However, with his broadmindedness and sense of forgiveness, Takawa has always handled such situations wisely; after all he has recently declared his total forgiveness to all who offended him, while humbly pleading with all to forgive him in return.

By the way, having been lucky to live this long to witness all these circumstances, and most importantly, having personally forgiven all and sought the same from all  in return at this particular time, I believe Takawa is of course fulfilled, as he humbly acknowledged  during his Golden jubilee celebrations.

Meanwhile, it’s obvious that, as Takawa reaches this important milestone in his life, speculations over who succeeds him are bound to circulate. After all, for quite a while, there have been moves, though largely covert, by various lobby groups and interested parties over who succeeds him, which after all isn’t surprising in view of the sheer size of the royal family and the high number of princes eligible to occupy the coveted throne.

Interestingly enough, just as in any power tussle; struggle for succession in a traditional establishment e.g. emirate is virtually the same as in a democratic setting, in terms of intense lobbying and other intrigues of conventional politics, only that it doesn’t involve popular vote hence only the elite play it. Also the intensity of the struggle is determined by the importance of a particular throne in question.

Therefore, being a first class throne by all standards, it’s a matter of course that tussle for Kano throne would involve intense lobbying and indeed whatever it takes to get it. This explains why the chances of any potential successor to the throne in Kano emirate, at any particular time, have always been determined by the extent of his influence and connections in the corridors of power at the state and federal levels, of course in addition to his influence among the King Makers within the emirate, who in any case nominate the candidate for the throne.

During General Ibrahim Babangida regime for instance, a particular senior Kano prince was so influential that many Kanawa believed he would simply succeed the emir. Likewise, another senior prince enjoyed a similar advantage during late General Abacha regime. In any case Takawa’s reign outlived the military regimes, which consequently affected the equation of chances among the potential contenders for the throne.

Incidentally, if the current speculations are anything to go by, a particular equally senior prince, who is already occupying a key position at the federal level, and who has already hinted his ambition to succeed the emir would be the contender to beat in the looming succession tussle. After all, he is already reportedly busy consolidating his potential to boost his chances. In any case, whatever the situation might to be, it remains to be seen in due course. Meanwhile, I congratulate Takawa and wish him many more years of prosperity.