Lineage and leadership: A reflection on the emirship of Kano

BY AHMED GARO

Deep within the heart of Kano, a saga unfolds that echoes through the corridors of time—a narrative of familial ties tested by the tug of authority and the pursuit of glory. Two cousins, Aminu Ado Bayero and Muhammad Sanusi, are locked in a contentious battle for the revered emirship of Kano. As the dust settles on this modern-day epic, where the past and present converge in a delicate balance of power and prestige. It’s hard not to draw parallels with the ancient Roman myth of Romulus and Remus.

In the annals of history, Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome, epitomise the struggle for power and the complexities of sibling rivalry. Aminu Ado Bayero is a prince through and through, who, as a young prince, was appointed in the ’90s and rose through a system that embraced him. Adored by the Kano people who would cheer him on with “sai kayi,” no other prince drew a larger crowd. The legitimate Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, has contributed to the development of the emirate and Kano from the reign of his father and more recently to that of Sunusi from 2014 to 2020.

He was the first to give ‘Bay’ah’ (pledge of allegiance) to Sanusi when he was controversially appointed. While Kano burned, while protesters were on the streets, and while other princes stayed away, Aminu Bayero courageously submitted and paid allegiance to the new emir on the throne that most people felt should have gone to the sons of Ado Bayero. But politics played its part in placing Sanusi on the throne and, six years later, the same politics played a part in his dethronement.

Consequently, Aminu Bayero was appointed Emir of Kano while his brother, Nasir Bayero, was appointed Emir of Bichi. Both brothers supported Sanusi during his reign; their only crime was ascending to a throne Sanusi was relieved from, which was theirs by right.

Although claiming to accept the will of God, Sanusi was often criticised for disrespecting the throne. He was said to have disrespected the emirate by using royal paraphernalia reserved only for emirs. He was accused of attempting several acts of sabotage, including allegedly supporting the NNPP to emerge “victorious” in the just concluded Kano state elections, among other schemes, simply to return to the throne and have the last laugh—or so he thinks.

I cannot help but draw comparisons between Sanusi and Remus. While Aminu Ado Bayero represents the sanctity of tradition and the continuity of a lineage steeped in heritage, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi emerges as the ambitious contender, fuelled by his own aspirations to ascend the throne through cunning and scheming.

The parallels between these narratives extend beyond mere coincidence; they speak to timeless themes ingrained in the human experience. Just as Romulus and Remus grappled with envy, pride, and connivance, so too do Aminu Ado Bayero and Sanusi navigate the intricate web of tradition and ambition. Yet, amidst the clamour of power struggles and familial discord, one cannot ignore the profound lessons embedded within these tales.

For Kano, the emirship is not merely a title; it is a symbol of cultural identity and historical continuity. As such, the rightful heir embodies the legacy of generations past, carrying the torch of tradition into the future. Conversely, the challenger draws from a dark moment in history, which symbolises and rewards wittiness, connivance, hate, and betrayal.

While ambition may burn bright, it is the flame of legitimacy that withstands the test of time. Just as Romulus emerged as the rightful ruler of Rome, so too must the people’s emir, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, emerge as the rightful, legitimate, undisputed Emir of Kano—the prince who became even before he became. Sai Kayi Sarki Aminu kafin Allah.

Ahmed Garo, a commentator and public affairs analyst, wrote from Kano. He can be reached via [email protected]