A professor of Islamic Political Thought and prominent Kano indigene, Umar Labdo, in this interview, provides a deep understanding of the emirship tussle between Muhammdu Sanusi and Aminu Bayero in Kano. The Yusuf Maitama Sule University-based don, suggests a possible way out, which may not be popular to both sides, insisting the matter be resolved amicably to avoid bigger conflict in the state, region and entire country. He also gives historical context to the issue. EXCERTS:
Kano Emirate is in crisis following the reinstatement of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. The matter has left many surprised that such a respected emirate could be enmeshed in such a controversy…
This is a very unfortunate development. Kano is a prominent commercial centre in Nigeria. It is historical and a melting pot for different people from West Africa and beyond. The traditional institution in Kano has been there for centuries. For this same institution to find itself in such a situation, is unfortunate. We, Kano indigenes, are not happy about it, and we think the elders and people in authority should exercise wisdom in resolving this seemingly intricate conflict.
Another aspect of the crisis that is also shocking is the fact that the two contending actors are descendants of the Dabo dynasty. What can you say about that?
ALSO READ Emirship tussle: Court adjourns sitting for 2hrs
It is a family affair but those fuelling the crisis are not members of the family. I mean the politicians. It is fair to say that members of the family are allowing themselves to be used by politicians. To that extent, it is very unfortunate because this family is supposed to be a mature family. It is a family that has a place in history. This is not the first time an Emir is being deposed in Kano. We saw what happened with the grandfather of the 16th Emir as they call him, Muhammadu Sanusi II. Muhammadu Sanu I, who was deposed during the First Republic, it was said that the then governor, Abubakar Rimi, wanted to reinstate him as Emir of Kano and deposed the then Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero, but Sir Muhammadu Sanusi rejected the idea. He said the Emir at the time was his younger brother and would not allow himself to conflict with him. He said the Emir should continue. He said the governor presented the option of dividing the Emirate into two so that he would head one part, but he declined. Rimi, thereafter said he should leave exile and return to Kano, the former Emir agreed, but said he wouldn’t live in the ancient city. Muhammadu Sanusi came back to Kano, but he settled in Wudil. That was where he resided until he died. This a very good historical precedent from which the current actors could have taken a clue. Unfortunately, they have not. To that extent, we the people of Kano are sad.
Aminu Ado Bayero and Muhammadu Sanu II, have tested this stool. Why not leave it for another person for example? Why wouldn’t both of them sit down and select one of their kith and kin to be the Emir and resolve the controversy entirely?
Labdo
Are there historical factors that could be linked to the current leadership crisis?
The present crisis is the handwork of politicians. Sanusi was appointed in 2014 during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan by then-Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwakwanso. Many people believed Kwakwanso did that to spite Jonathan, who at the time had a misunderstanding with Sanusi. He sacked Sanusi as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CNB. Kwakwanso wanted to spite the President. That was why he appointed Sanusi as Emir of Kano. You can see the involvement of politics in the matter. Now, the governor who came after Kwakwanso, Abdullahi Ganduje, deposed Sanusi and appointed Aminu Ado Bayero. That is also politics. Another governor, Kabiru Yusuf, has reinstated Sanusi. Politics is very dirty. It is dividing a prominent family and if care is not taken, it can bring conflict in Kano. And it would be inimical to the development of not only Kano, but also northern Nigeria and the entire country given the position of Kano as a melting pot. It is a meeting point for not just African, but also Arab and European culture. Kano doesn’t deserve this type of controversy.
The belief out there is that the controversy is belittling the stature and glamour of Kano Emirate…
It is indeed belittling the institution and ridiculing the actors. I believe they allowed themselves to be toyed with, And it is very unbecoming of them. I think they are dragging the name of the institution in the mud. People all over the world are looking at Kano as a prominent place historically. In modern Nigerian history, Kano has played an important role politically, economically, socially and culturally. By allowing themselves to be played with by selfish politicians, they have made a mistake. I think they should not allow themselves to be used by politicians. It is high time they put their acts together. They have their elders internally and on intra-family basis, they should come together and call the main actors to order before it spirals out of control.
Group political interest is at the centre of the issue. Don’t you think it’s high time politicians in the state stopped interfering with the affairs of the emirate council?
It would be highly welcome if the traditional institution is removed from the control of governors. The sooner it is done, the better for all of us. If you read the papers recently, there were reports that Sokoto State governor wants to depose the Sultan of Sokoto. The Sultan is the head of all the emirates in northern Nigeria. The trend is becoming serious. I believe if things are allowed to continue this way, it will be inimical to peace in the region and Nigeria as a whole. Therefore, there should be a constitutional amendment to correct this situation. States have their different laws, which are somehow similar. The laws give the governor the power to appoint, depose and reinstate. I think the laws should be unified, amended and beyond the control of politicians. But it is easier said than done. Who will change the laws? Is it not politicians? It is the state House of Assembly and the governor. Most of the state legislatures are in the pockets of state governors. Regarding the Kano incident, before the law was hurriedly changed, expensive Sports Utility Vehicles were said to have been distributed to members of the state House of Assembly. Ostensibly, they were given to them by the state government, but there were allegations that the cars were bought by someone else. What I am saying is that the laws are supposed to be changed. Unfortunately, it is the politicians who will change the laws, but they are unlikely to do that because they are in their interest. They want to make use of the institutions to the detriment of their opponents. Another thing is that our people are not strong in terms of intervening. The common man in Nigeria, especially in Northern Nigeria, does not have a strong voice. Until we call politicians to order, we will continue to experience what happened in Kano in other places. May God not allow it to happen in Sokoto because we have seen reports about plans to depose the Sultan.
Given how Kano has had two emirs in less than five years, there are fears that the trend may continue if there is any change of political leadership in the state. What do you think?
If it continues, it means the end of the traditional institution. If the traditional institution becomes such that each governor comes and appoints his Emir, it means the end of the institution. Everything possible should be done to avoid that.
Since there seems to be a stalemate, what do you think should be the ideal solution to the Emirship conundrum in Kano?
I don’t think there is an ideal solution here because the situation has developed into a stalemate. And it is difficult to resolve. In theory, the judiciary should be assertive here. But politicians are known to ignore court orders. It was done in the case of Sanusi himself. Now, it is repeating itself. One of the courts said Sanusi was reinstated after a court ruling that parties should maintain the status quo. It is very difficult to say but the judiciary should do its job. It is the last resort of the common man and should be so in this case. If they don’t do their job diligently, this state, Northern Nigeria and the entire country may find itself in a conflict. We thank God there hasn’t been any breakdown of law and order in Kano. Maybe this is one of the signs that people are becoming more aware. If this happened 30 years ago, there would have been a breakdown of law and order. There is a seeming standoff in the two palaces, but people are going about their businesses peacefully. Those who are supposed to resolve this conflict should do so as soon as possible and with all sense of responsibility. They should always remember that history will judge them.
The state government has said Ado Bayero is now a private citizen. It appears unrestrained in its resolve to demolish Nasarawa Palace where Ado Bayero resides. Do you think this is helping the situation?
That is an unwise step by the state government. Even if the mini palace needed renovation, they should have exercised patience. This man is in the palace, and it seems he has support within and outside the state. I think the state government shouldn’t be hasty. They should take things easy. Why has the house not been renovated a long time ago? They should postpone the renovation until things are normal.
In the Second Republic, the splitting of the Emirate was an issue. In the current crisis, it is still a bone of contention. As a scholar and eminent Kano indigene, do you think Kano Emirate should remain monolithic or divided the way Rimi and Ganduje did?
I have no problem with the division of the Emirate into several emirates as Ganduje did. The only problem is that Ganduje didn’t do it with good intentions. He did it for political reasons. It was Ganduje and members of his party, who divided the Emirate. If it was an agreement between him, the ruling house and the people of Kano, it would have been okay. There is no problem with dividing the Emirate, but this is not the right time for it. Even if it is a good idea, those who do not support the present government would view it differently.
Leadership
This may not please many people. I am not happy about the falling quality of leadership among our people. If leaders are thinking of themselves alone instead of the people, it shows the poor quality of leadership we have. Leaders shouldn’t be seen to fight dirty like this. After all, we know that this life is short. We are all going to die in 20 or 30 years. We are not children. Aminu Ado Bayero and Muhammadu Sanu II, have tested this stool. Why not leave it for another person for example? Why wouldn’t both of them sit down and select one of their kith and kin to be the Emir and resolve the controversy entirely? They are all from one family. Should they do that, we, the Kano people, would applaud them. But they are fighting dirty over the stool. After all, what are they going to do with the stool? We thank God there is no breakdown of law and order, otherwise there would have been bloodshed.
