An Emir's dilemma

Also published in Daily Trust

Even though Kano Emirate and its entire affairs are exclusively Kanawa affairs, the nationwide media attention attracted by the succession controversy following the death of the late Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero last Friday signified the particular significance of the coveted Kano throne, which is certainly the most popular and arguably the most influential traditional throne in Nigeria.      

Besides, even before the death of the late Emir, there had been speculations anticipating intense succession tussle considering the chances of the contending princes particularly among the families of late Emir Sanusi Bayero who had obviously looked forward to reclaiming it ever since the controversial abdication of their father in 1963, and the family of late Emir Ado Bayero who had wanted to retain it. Likewise, there had also been intra-family struggle among the contending aspirants within either family.

Over the decades of Ado Bayero’s reign, a few among the top contending princes had at different times been widely and, to a large extent, rightly considered to have better chances of succeeding him due to their perceived strong connections in the corridors of power especially during the successive military regimes when the Head of State was the one vested with the power to approve the appointment of particularly first class traditional rulers in the country.

For instance, during the General Babangida-led military regime, Alhaji Tijjani Hashim, the Galadima of Kano was widely considered to have much better chances to get it in view of his closeness to the General and his extensive connections with other top military officers and highly influential elites among the traditional institutions and business communities in the state and the country at large.

However, soon after General Babangida left power, the Galadima’s chances began to decline, particularly during General Abacha’s regime, when the chances of Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, the Wambai of Kano, increased significantly due to his closeness to General Abacha. In fact, there was a time when it was widely believed that General Abacha was actually planning to sack Ado Bayero and replace him with the Wambai, when relationship between them soured terribly.

Therefore, notwithstanding the official statements released here and there, it is clear that the process of nominating and selecting the Emir of Kano might not have been that transparent and fair, after all. Besides, regardless of whether Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was the best candidate or not, Governor Kwankwaso had apparently wanted to further undermine the already dwindling political fortune of the ruling party and the president in the region by appointing Malam Sanusi who is equally at loggerheads with the President, as the Emir of Kano, which is arguably the most populous state in Nigeria and certainly the most populous in the region. This is especially as he i.e. Kwankwaso is reportedly planning to run for the President next year.

Interestingly enough, the current alliance between Governor Kwankwaso and Malam Sanusi is a recent development, given the antecedents in their relationship.  Who would have thought that after describing Kwankwaso, in one of his published articles titled “The Kwankwaso Phenomenon”, as a “rural aristocrat” who “surrounds himself with provincials and places key-posts in the hands of rural elite”, and also compared his government to what he called “the classic comedy of the Village Headmaster in a Village Council, in his first term as governor that both come together to effect a monumental change in the affairs of Kano Emirate?

Predictably, that and many other scathing criticisms by Malam Sanusi angered Kwankwaso who reportedly put huge pressure on Sanusi’s employers then, i.e. United Bank for Africa (UBA) to sack him and threatened to stop his government’s dealings with the bank. Therefore their alliance might have been actually borne out of political expedience, which effectively forced them to form it and work together against their common political foe, President Jonathan.

In any case, now that Malam Sanusi Lamido has become the Emir of Kano, he will have to do a lot in order to maintain the unparalleled integrity of the Kano Emirate, which his predecessor had succeeded in maintaining despite many challenges. This, among other things, depends on his ability to maintain political neutrality even though it is admittedly not easy considering the circumstances under which he emerged and also the considerations that had clearly informed the decision to select him.

Emir Sanusi’s dilemma is particularly tricky, because, on one hand, having no constitutional role, he, like all other traditional rulers in the country, can only rely on his personal charisma, respectability and connections at both state and national levels to meet the understandably high expectations of the Kanawa and indeed many individuals and communities across the country who have immensely benefitted from Ado Bayero’s benevolence, intercessions and mediations.

On the other hand however, Emir Sanusi is clearly expected by his benefactors to appropriately reciprocate and pay them back, which will however undermine the integrity of his throne, put him at loggerheads with other politicians at both state and national levels and indeed expose him to the risk of politically motivated vendetta, which he can’t handle and may not be able to survive.

Nevertheless, Emir Sanusi can still avoid all these scenarios if he sticks to the principles of justice and courageously resists temptation and blackmail to tempt or blackmail him into doing whatever may undermine the integrity of the great Kano Emirate he now leads.