By
Professor M. T.
Usman
Department of
History and International Studies
Usmanu Danfodiyo
University, Sokoto, Nigeria
So far, the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has not informed the world about any offence(s) committed by the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero that could warrant his supposed deposition and the humiliations directed at the highly respected monarch. The emir is caught up in a bitter political rivalry between two opposing camps as a result of which issues that are critical to development in Kano have been jettisoned, consequently, important affairs of the state especially those with direct bearing on the welfare of the commoners are gradually being crippled. This unfortunate situation has virtually created chaos and confusion in emirate administration. Emir Aminu Bayero is made a scapegoat by the state government which has deliberately unleashed every kind of intimidation and harassment on him. Emir Aminu is made to bear unpleasant consequences because of the “misdeeds” committed by a predecessor government. From the moral perspective, Emir Aminu cannot be held responsible for whichever policy and actions of the Ganduje administration. What Governor Yusuf and his appointed officials are doing in order to punish Aminu Ado Bayero can be interpreted as an overreaction driven by sentiments and the desire for political vengeance. The Governor with the full backing of the state legislature wants to reverse many policies and decisions of the last administration regardless of the pungent consequences on peace and social harmony in the state. One would have expected a better and meticulous study of the situation in the emirates with a view to minimising the impact of the shocks and chaos that we are witnessing in the state at present. The governor and members of the legislature from the ruling NNPP are therefore on a mission to further desecrate the traditional institution and bastardise the good cultural values of Kano people.
Over the years, the institution of traditional rulership has
suffered from excessive interference and manipulation by politicians. It is
perhaps relevant to recall the historical process that contributed to the rise
and fall of the traditional rulers which subsequently affected their status and
functions under democratic and military dispensations. Traditional rulers had
conducted state affairs in their respective domains which is an important
political legacy that has survived to the present. Emirs in northern Nigeria
had contributed to the running of a modern state system during the colonial
period and thereafter. Traditional rulers formed the backbone of the colonial
administrative system through the Native Authority system (NA) in the emirates
and chiefdoms of the north. The British after conquering the emirates had
realized that, the system had a workable structure that was convenient for
administrative purposes. That the emirate system could serve as a machinery for
realizing the political and economic objectives of the colonial state. Hence,
the emirs and their subordinate officials were co-opted into the colonial
administrative structure to facilitate the maintenance of law and order,
sustainable security, revenue generation as well as the implementation of some
other social, economic and political policies introduced by the British. Of
course, it is difficult to deny the fact, that the traditional institution was
equally used by the British for other exploitative and oppressive reasons,
which was carried over into the post-colonial era.
During the period after independence, there was competition for political relevance between the traditional rulers and the new political actors (both civilians and the military). The new political elites who replaced the British colonial administrators got the upper hand in the power arrangement as a result of which the powers of the traditional rulers were eroded. The nature of the relationship between the traditional rulers and the political elites was characterized by an intense intra-class struggle which resulted in depositions and exiling of emirs and chiefs since the 1960s. Later on, the local government reforms of 1976 as recommended by a federal government committee under Ibrahim Dasuki (later on the Sultan of Sokoto) further rendered the traditional rulers powerless. Traditional rulers were deprived of the control over essential apparatuses of the state which included the local police (yan doka which was abolished completely) the prisons and control over local authority finances. Their functions and responsibilities were restricted to offering advice to state officials with statutory executive powers at the state and federal levels. They cannot take decisions on essential matters affecting their people without the approval of the governor or any other government appointee acting on behalf of the governor. Furthermore, the constitutional provisions consolidated the powers of the governor over the traditional institutions and completely relegated traditional rulers to the bottom of the power hierarchy. This has been the arrangement since the 1960s up to the current dispensation in Nigeria under which the powers of the traditional establishment had been usurped by elected officials or the military (depending on the circumstance) as well as other institutions of modern system of government.
What we are witnessing today in Kano under Governor Abba
Kabir Yusuf is arrogant display of executive power and the abuse of legislative
process. There is nothing short of this if we consider the flagrant violations
of due process by the governor and his subordinates in both their
pronouncements and actions at different times since the announcement of the
illegal removal of the five emirs. It is regrettable that politicians who are
in control of government affairs in Kano presently, take major decisions that
affect the people no matter the bad repercussions on the state in general. The
legislation hurriedly passed by the State House of Assembly and assented to by
the governor is now a matter of litigation bordering on violation of the
fundamental rights of Emir Aminu Ado and other emirs. Legal experts have argued
that there is no legitimacy in whichever action taken by the state government
based on the new law. There is a strong hope for justice from the court because
of the illegalities perpetrated by the state governor, Abba Yusuf and his
rubber-stamp legislature. What the governor has done as regards the issue of
the emirates has done more harm to the public. This is the reason why millions
among the inhabitants of the new emirates are strongly opposed to the so-called
scrapping of the emirates. The administration of Governor Yusuf has alienated
itself from a large section of Kano citizens who were happy with the creation
of the emirates and upgrading of the rulers to First Class Emirs. There is
evidence of growing discontent and frustration among the people because of
non-performance by Governor Yusuf since coming to office in 2023. Reports also
from different sources have confirm that there is widespread fear and
psychological trauma among a high percentage of the local people. It is very
difficult for some to have confidence to go about their activities of earning a
living under a tense atmosphere created by the state government.
As for Emir Aminu Ado, it is interesting to report that,
commoners still show their love, loyalty, sympathetic concern and reverence for
the him. It is clear from the testimonies by locals that he is a humble person,
accessible and always in support of the aspirations of his people. Emir Aminu
according to local sources is someone who never neglects his responsibility of
preserving and promoting the culture and the cherished values of Kano people.
He uses every available opportunity to defend the interests of his people
anywhere he finds himself. He had worked closely with his father, the late Emir
Ado Bayero. For those who are conversant with the most recent history of Kano,
the reign of late Emir Ado Bayero (1963-2014) witnessed important social and
economic transformations in old Kano Emirate. The achievements recorded during
Emir Ado Bayero’s time had impacted positively on the economy and society which
is noticeable from the infrastructural development recorded and economic growth
brought about in Kano because of industrialization especially in the 1970s and
80s, and of course a boost in commercial activities. On the other, Aminu Bayero
was also a pillar in emirate administration during the reign of his father. As
one of the leading palace officials who was close to Emir Ado Bayero, he got
the privilege of representing his father at important public activities at
different times in the state and at the national level. His participation in
emirate affairs cannot be forgotten easily, because that what enabled him to
also contribute to the uplifting of Kano Emirate. The traditional titles of
Turaki and later Sarkin Dawaki held by Aminu Ado Bayero under the tutelage of
his father was an opportunity for a prolong mentorship. Consequently, Aminu Ado
was able to acquire vast experience in day-to-day administrative matters and
other important functions in the emirate.
One recalls the constant prayers by the youths and even the
elderly for this popular prince, Aminu Ado to ascend the throne after his
father. Praises and the hailing of Prince Aminu by royal musicians including
the spectators added value to his outings on beautifully decorated horses
during durbar processions in the city. City dwellers and visitors came out in
thousands to watch the horse riders in Aminu’s convoy. It was a common practice
for admirers of Aminu Bayero to rhymical
in chorus greet him with “Sai ka yi!!!” (you would be/the next emir). Emir Ado
Bayero was alive when the people were expressing their wish and prayers for the
popular prince (Aminu) to succeed his father which was unprecedented in Kano’s
documented history. He was therefore an outstanding prince well-liked by the
people before he became an emir. Hence, his ascension to the throne following
his appointment on 9th March 2020 was greeted with spectacular celebrations by
many in the emirate.
Meanwhile, the actions of Governor Yusuf and his
collaborators against Emir Aminu Ado Bayero amount to gross injustice and
outright betrayal of the trust the Kano people had reposed in him. There was
high hope for good performance in Kano when Abba Yusuf was elected. His
election victory was challenged by the opposition, but the Supreme Court of
Nigeria confirmed him as the duly elected governor after a complex legal
battle. From the reports in the media, it was speculated that opposition
politicians in Kano were strongly hopeful that Abba Yusuf’s initial victory
would be overturned by the court, especially with the ‘federal might’ that was
expected to provide support to the opposition party in Kano. However, through
the intervention of the Almighty Allah there was a favourable verdict which
affirmed the victory of Abba Yusuf. Unfortunately, the hopes of the people for
good governance and development are gradually being dashed. Kano politics has
degenerated to that of a personality cult which is a departure from the
progressive and people-oriented politics of the 1950s under the Northern
Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) and later in the 1980s when the Peoples’
Redemption Party (PRP) was in power in old Kano State. Many other parts of
Nigeria admired and emulated Kano in politics in those years because it was
politics for development and liberation of the people. The expectation in Kano
during the 2023 Elections was that, with Abba Kabir Yusuf as Governor more
attention will be given to the welfare of the ordinary people and the
development of the state. One expects that problems of abject poverty, poor
health services, lack of provision of qualitative education in public schools,
endemic corruption and mismanagement in government would be among the top
priorities to be addressed by the government.
Despite the pretensions by government officials, there is
enough evidence to prove that, the administration of Abba Yusuf is failing in
fulfilling its promise to provide good governance in Kano State. People in the
state are frustrated and complaining because of heightened social and economic
problems engendered by the failure of the state government to provide adequate
and efficient social services and amenities. Public schools, hospitals, rural
feeder roads and other infrastructural facilities are in deplorable condition
since the attention of the governor and other state officials have been
diverted to other unimportant commitments. The major concern of the
administration of Governor Yusuf is now the promotion of personal interest of
few politicians. Politics and governance in Kano presently, revolve around
ambitions of a political godfather, as well as reinstating an aristocrat who
has no sincere respect for the indigenous social and cultural heritage of the
people. Unfortunately, the government of Kano presently has been wasting the
resources of the state in pursuit of anti-people policies which have adverse
impact on the local economy. One can still remember that during the early days
of Governor Yusuf in 2023, there was this senseless demolition of structures
that were of critical significance to private investments and economic
development in Kano. This autocratic posture adopted by the administration of
Governor Abba Yusuf has created a sense of hopelessness among the citizens of
the state which can definitely threatened the chances of winning elections in
Kano State come 2027.
Friday 05/07/2024.
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