Kano Kingmakers Sue Ganduje Over New Emirates, Says It Distorts Tradition, But Hausas Ask, Which One?
The Oasis Reporters
May 15, 2019
Four kingmakers of Kano Emirate have sued Governor Abdullahi Ganduje over the creation of four additional emirates in the state. The kingmakers: Sarkin Dawaki Maituta, Alhaji Bello Abubakar, Sarkin Bai Alhaji Mukhtar Adnan, Madakin Kano Alhaji Yusuf Nabahani and Makaman Kano, Alhaji Sarki Ibrahim Makama are challenging the governor’s decision before a state High Court.
On a second look, a public affairs commentator in Kano, Malam Maigari says the kingmakers are basically Fulanis, while Kano State is largely and originally Hausa speaking before the Fulani jihadists overthrew the Hausa Sarkis (Kings) all over the north.
Therefore when the aggrieved kingmakers said they were challenging the creation of the four new emirates because the law establishing them had completely distorted the history, the question Malam Maigari is asking is, what about the Hausa dynasty that was distorted and destroyed since 1804 when the Fulani jihad commenced ?
The Kingmakers said their position was a heritage in trust for their respective clans of Jobawa, Sullubawa, Yolawa and Dambazawa.
The decision of the four kingmakers is coming three days after a Kano High Court sitting in Ungogo ordered the governor to maintain the status quo and take no further action regarding the presentation of letters of appointment and staff of office to the new emirs.
Also sued are the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum; the state government and the four newly appointed emirs of Gaya, Rano, Bichi and Karaye. According to a writ of summon, the defendants are expected to appear before the court within 21 days from the day they are served.
Since the struggle is largely within only Fulanis who are the ruling class, and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje is of the same ethnic stock with Emir Sanusi and the Kingmakers, the struggle for change may not spill over into accommodating the defeated Hausa tribe since 1804. But the future remains unpredictable for the traditional rulership and rule by one ethnic group that has yet to deliver greater progress in human capital development to the large majority of Hausa people whose children in millions remain as child beggars under the Almajiri system, while the children of the ruling class attend first rate universities all over the globe.
Comparative mention has also been made about another colonial power, Britain that ruled the Island of Hong Kong, turning it into a hub for first rate development and economic progress by developing human talent in about 150 years of colonial rule. Unlike what obtains in the north and the larger Nigerian nation.
.Additional reporting: Daily Trust
