EXCLUSIVE: Axe dangles over Ahmadu Bello’s grandson as crisis brews in sultanate council

July 2, 2017 6:40 pm

The crisis brewing at the sultanate council has taken a dramatic turn with senior counsellors calling on Sultan Abubakar Sa’ad III to institute disciplinary proceedings against Hassan Danbaba, the magajin garin Sokoto and grandson of Ahmadu Bello, former sardauna of Sokoto and premier of the north.

Danbaba had threatened to resign his position as he walked out on the sultan during a meeting convened to reconcile him with former minister of youth development, Inuwa Abdulkadir.

Abdulkadir, who is the national vice chairman (north-west) of the APC, is contesting for the post of marafan Sokoto, which became vacant with the death of Umaru Shinkafi.

TheCable understands that Danbaba had expressed his opposition to Abdulkadir’s bid for the prestigious title, saying as a “child of slaves” in the caliphate, Abdulkadir had no lineage to aspire for the title.

Palace sources informed TheCable that following a public spat between the two leaders, the sultan instituted a committee under the leadership of former governor of old Sokoto state, Yahaya Abdulkarim, to broker peace between them and report back to him.

“Malam Yahaya met with the two leaders and made a headway in reconciling them. He also extracted commitment from them that all court cases instituted by both parties should be withdrawn. Importantly, they agreed to forgive each other and cease public rantings against each other,” an insider told TheCable.

“It was also agreed that on the matter of appointment of new marafa, due process will be followed by the palace and whoever emerges should be respected.”

Danbaba is reportedly under under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his role as consultant in the Paris Club refunds saga and an earlier petition against him for allegedly abandoning some projects in Taraba after collecting payment from the regime of late Danbaba Danfulani Suntai.

The source added: “After the peace parley at the palace, EFCC wrote to Danbaba requesting he appears before them to explain his role in the Paris Club refunds saga, and to brief them on the contract he allegedly abandoned in Taraba after collecting funds.

“Sensing the opportunity to involve the sultanate council, he asked the kingmakers to intervene and seek a soft landing for him from EFCC.

“That effort was rebuffed, and it was made clear to him that the palace will not be involved in his personal dealings.”

Another source told TheCable: “Danbaba was advised to allow the law take its course. He was told that if he was innocent of the charges as claimed, he had no reason to fear.

“He then flared up and walked out on the meeting, threatening the sultan and warning that he may not last long on his seat if he can’t stand by his close associates.”

Danbaba walked out on the meeting with the sultan and threatened to resign his position as magajin gari and kingmaker, TheCable was informed.

“We were angered by his show of disrespect to the sultan and other senior citizens at the meeting,” the source added.

Thereafter, he was reported to have returned his official vehicles.

However, sources at the palace said once he puts in a formal letter of resignation, it will be accepted.

“He is yet to do that. We’ll gladly accept his resignation without any hesitation. You can’t disrespect the institution for your selfish considerations. The sultan has shown great desire to reconcile him and Abdulkadir, but it appears he hasn’t shown similar gesture,” a kingmaker said.