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Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has said that the new Emir of Kano would be announced today. Kwankwaso said this yesterday at the Government House in the state capital when the kingmakers of the Kano Emirate Council paid him a condolence visit.
“Insha Allah, by tomorrow those who are responsible to announce the new emir will do so,” the governor said yesterday. He declined to mention names of the contenders for the royal throne presented to him by the four kingmakers – Madakin Kano, Alhaji Yusuf Nabahani; Sarkin Bai, Alhaji Muktari Adnan; Sarkin Dawaki mai tuta, Alhaji Bello Abubakar; and Makaman Kano, Alhaji Abdullahi Sarki Ibrahim.
But there were indications at the weekend that Kwankwaso might go for Sanusi, though, both the kingmakers and most influential indigenes of Kano are said to favour the Ciroma. The governor is in the opposition All Progressives Congress and Sanusi has for some time fought a running battle with the president, a member of Peoples Democratic Party.
Bayero died on Friday and was buried the same day in accordance with Islamic custom. If tradition is anything to go by, he will be succeeded by his first son, who is generally regarded as the heir apparent. But the choice is also dependent upon the kingmakers’ assessment of the heir’s suitability for the throne. They can decide to choose nominees – often three – from the ruling families whom they will present to the governor to pick one person for the traditional stool.
There are about six strong contenders for the Emir of Kano. They include three of the late emir’s sons, namely, his first son, Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero; a former journalist who graduated from Bayero University, Kano, and former pilot with the defunct Kabo Air, Aminu Ado Bayero; and the Turakin Kano, Nasiru Ado Bayero.
From the other ruling families, those vying for the royal post include the Galadima Kano, Tijani Hashim; Wamban Kano, Ajhaji Abbas Sanusi; and the former CBN governor.
It was gathered last night that the sons of the late Bayero in the race have decided to stand down for their eldest brother, Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero. If that happens, it would boost their chance of retaining the throne in the family.
Feelers within Kano, however, show that the former CBN governor may have to contend with a prevailing view that he is not the direct son of a former emir, but only a grandson of a past emir who was deposed
Before declaring to newsmen that the new emir would be announced today, the governor was said to have met behind closed doors with the kingmakers for several hours, in what inside sources called a meeting to assess the person who will succeed the late emir. Kwankwaso was also said to have met with Danmasanin Kano, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, at Government House before the meeting with the kingmakers.
The kingmakers had, allegedly, met at the Soron Giwa, which is situated inside the palace, before leaving in convoy for the meeting with the governor.
THISDAY learnt that the governor would meet again with the kingmakers at 2pm today to take a final decision on the succession. The announcement of the new emir is expected to follow the meeting.