EMIRSHIP TUSSLE: Sanusi, Ado Bayero should forego stool — Labdo, Professor of Islamic Political Thought

A professor of Islamic Political Thought and prominent Kano indigene, Umar Labdo, in this interview, provides a deep understanding of the emirship tussle 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.

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?

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.

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?