The Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has agreed with the notion that the controversial position of the Emir of Kano is shifting towards being a tenured role, rather than a lifetime appointment.
Traditionally, the appointment of the Emir of Kano, like other officially recognized traditional leadership positions, was undoubtedly for life.
The ongoing saga in Kano began with the dethronement of Sanusi Lamido by the immediate former governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, during his tenure.
The latest development saw the deposition of Lamido’s successor by the current governor, Yusuf Abba.
This has led to the reinstatement of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, stirring further controversy.
These events have sparked discussions about the possibility of the Emir’s role becoming a tenured position.
Kwankwaso, a significant figure in the political dynamics that led to the current crisis in the Kano emirate, stated that the idea of a tenured monarchy is not far-fetched.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, he commented, “Those that are looking at it from the perspective of whether it’s going to be tenure-based are somehow right. But who started it?”
Reflecting on his time as governor, Kwankwaso recounted, “When I returned as Governor in 2011, everyone knew that the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, did not support us; he was backing former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau. ”
“However, when we assumed power, we never considered dethroning him. This is why we are advising everyone to stay in their rightful places.”
Kwankwaso’s remarks highlight the complexities and the shifting dynamics of traditional leadership roles in Kano, suggesting that the historical precedent of lifetime appointments may be changing towards fixed-term tenures.
