When former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state began having points with Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, there was no indication that different Emirs and Kings, particularly within the north, intervened to scale back the strain. They stood by because the battle continued, in the end leading to Sanusi’s dethronement. Handled as solely Sanusi II’s drawback, he confronted the state of affairs alone and succumbed to the overwhelming government authority of the governor, resulting in his downfall.
Though the present Kano state authorities reinstated Sanusi II, ongoing litigation with no clear decision and the presence of two claimants to the Kano Emir stool point out that issues could by no means return to regular. The Kano Emirate’s status, even amongst its princes and princesses, is uncertain to be restored. Loyalties at the moment are divided between Sanusi II and Bayero.
As Kano navigates its emirate battle, one other is brewing in Sokoto, the place issues are rising over alleged plans to dethrone Sultan Muhammad Saad Abubakar III. Regardless of the Sokoto Authorities’s denial, indicators point out efforts to both dethrone or considerably scale back the Sultan’s energy and affect. A key indicator is the modification to the Sokoto Emirate Council Invoice, which goals to strip the Sultan of the authority to nominate district heads. This invoice has already handed its first and second readings within the state Home of Meeting.
Part 76(2) of the Sokoto Native Authorities and Chieftaincy Legislation grants the Sultanate Council the facility to nominate district and village heads within the state, topic to the governor’s approval. This provision was revered till the present administration, which views it as an encroachment on the governor’s authority and seeks to alter it. With out the facility to nominate district and village heads, the Sultan or the Sultanate council could lose the flexibility to punish them, resulting in problems with management. Think about a Sultan with out the facility to nominate or self-discipline district or village heads.
Many view the modification as half of a bigger plan to not solely scale back the Sultan’s powers but additionally to dethrone him. These decided to dethrone the Sultan have made their intentions clear. Throughout the campaigns, one of many frequent slogans was “sabon gwamna, sabon sarki” (new Governor, new King). The plot to dethrone the Sultan has lengthy been in movement. However will it succeed? Solely time will inform.
Proxy Struggle
The state of affairs in Sokoto means that the state governor could be combating a proxy warfare on behalf of a strong determine in Sokoto politics who has a grievance with the monarchy. Whereas this battle continues, Governor Ahmad Aliyu should heed the sensible counsel of assorted stakeholders, together with the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), the Council of Ulamas, and Vice President Kashim Shettima, and abandon any plans to scale back the Sultan’s powers or dethrone him.
Swim or Sink Alone
Simply because it occurred to Sanusi II and Emir Mustapha Jokolo of Gwandu earlier than him, different Emirs and Kings are remaining silent. There isn’t a indication that they’re intervening, even discreetly, to assist one among their very own. They appear to have forgotten the lesson from Martin Niemöller (1892–1984), a Lutheran pastor in Germany who initially supported many Nazi concepts however grew to become crucial of Hitler’s interference within the Protestant Church. Niemöller is greatest remembered for his postwar assertion: “First, they got here for the socialists, and I didn’t converse out—as a result of I used to be not a socialist. Then they got here for the commerce unionists, and I didn’t converse out—as a result of I used to be not a commerce unionist. Then they got here for the Jews, and I didn’t converse out—as a result of I used to be not a Jew. Then they got here for me—and there was nobody left to talk for me.”
It seems that one after the other, the monarchs are being focused. This pattern is regarding. Like a wildfire, occasions in some northern states recommend an uneasy relationship between political energy and a few palaces. It’s more and more evident that some governors are decided to dethrone or at the least scale back the powers of sure monarchs.
Nevertheless, the fault just isn’t solely with the politicians. The monarchs, in some instances, have didn’t dwell as much as the expectations of their revered positions. Their dependence on authorities and political workplace holders for almost every thing is infamous, as is their involvement in politics. This has led to a gradual decline within the respect they as soon as commanded and has sparked discussions about their relevance among the many plenty.
Two components—their questioned relevance and their embarrassing dependence and political involvement—have precipitated conventional rulers to lose the respect of each the plenty and the political class. This has emboldened governors to deal with them flippantly and infrequently threaten to dethrone them on the slightest provocation.
It’s clear that the erosion of respect and relevance for the monarchy is happening. Whereas the nation considers an outlined function for conventional rulers, all Nigerians of fine conscience should denounce any try and undermine the revered Sultan underneath any pretext. Because the Council of Ulamas rightly famous, “The Sultanate represents the collective id and heritage of Nigerian Muslims, transcending state boundaries…any assault on the Sultanate is an assault on our collective dignity…”
The Sokoto state authorities ought to put aside any grievances with the establishment or the individual occupying the workplace and give attention to the larger image. Their precedence must be addressing the quite a few developmental challenges dealing with the state moderately than making an attempt to scale back the Sultan’s powers or dethrone him. Let the Sultan be!
