Recent troubles rock the historical Kano Kingdom in northern Nigeria · Global Voices
The Emir of Kano, <PERSON>, at Durbar Festival celebrating Eid in June 2018, Kano, Nigeria. Photo by <PERSON> via Wikimedia: CC BY-SA 4.0.
The Kingdom of Kano in northern Nigeria is in trouble.
Governor <PERSON> of Kano State in northwestern Nigeria, has decided to split Kano Emirate into five distinct territories, breaking up a kingdom that has existed before the age of governors for nearly 1,000 years.
Dating back to the year 999 as one of Nigeria’s largest kingdoms, Kano played a central role in trans-Sahara commercial routes. Kano is home to a remarkable museum that holds ancient relics in a prominent palace, and Nigerians often gather for festivals and exhibitions.
<PERSON>’s decision to split this ancient kingdom under his governance is tied to a political tug-of-war between himself, Kano’s former governor, <PERSON> and the current king, 57-year-old Emir <PERSON> , the 58th Emir (King) to date — appointed by <PERSON> before his term ended.
Once political allies, <PERSON> and <PERSON> became rivals after <PERSON> took office in 2015, and now his decision to split <PERSON>’s kingdom is, according to some, an act of revenge against the emir, his rival <PERSON>'s pick.
This adverse situation has disturbed the unity among Kano Kingdom households who have gotten along for centuries.
Counting from the unification in 927, the British Monarchy is about 1,092 years old. Kano Kingdom was founded in 999, 1,020 years old.
While the Brits will do all to uphold the dignity of their royal heritage, Nigeria is dismantling its own heritage over petty politics. Thread.
— <PERSON> (@AyoBankole) May 8, 2019
On May 10, the courts instructed <PERSON> to halt the appointment ceremony of the new kings, but he defied the court and executed the division anyway, claiming he was carrying out the orders of the state legislature .
Several palace officials decried Governor <PERSON>’s actions, calling it a distortion of a working model for governance in Kano and northern Nigeria. <PERSON> said he did not obey the court order because it came after the appointment of the new emirs in each of the five distinct sub-kingdoms: Kano, Rano, Karaye, Gaya and Bichi.
However, on May 15, the court ordered a return to the status quo pending the hearing of the suit against the appointment of the new emirs.
Many Kano residents, depressed by the division, said Governor <PERSON> is playing politics in diminishing the famous Kano Kingdom.
The Emir of Kano on his throne, September 2016. 1017
Photo by <PERSON> via Wikimedia: CC BY-SA 4.0.
Political rivalry
Current Governor <PERSON> worked as deputy governor to <PERSON> twice between 2011 and 2015.
When <PERSON> was about to leave office, he called on <PERSON> as his deputy to run in the 2015 election. But since <PERSON> took office, <PERSON> has accused him of not being loyal, although <PERSON> denies these charges.
During Nigeria’s 2019 presidential election, <PERSON> strategized to prevent <PERSON> from taking on a second term, but <PERSON> prevailed.
<PERSON> has expressed hostility toward <PERSON> for supporting <PERSON>’s favored candidate, <PERSON>, of the People’s Democratic Party, during the 2019 election.
The two rivals have challenged each other with political blackmail through their supporters. <PERSON> has revoked all <PERSON>’s projects that he started as governor.
<PERSON>’s move to split the kingdom is revenge against <PERSON>’s partisanship and another way to show disdain for <PERSON>.
He says the five new territories would operate as Kano’s sub-domains within Kano State. Jurisdiction for these territories would fall under <PERSON> — instead of King <PERSON>.
A history of kingmakers
Before 1903, kingmakers determined the pick of Kano kings through family lineage. But with Europe’s widening influence in West Africa, ruling governors were given the power to choose kings beginning in 1903. Even though a prevailing democratic governor oversees Kano’s Emirate Council, it usually complies with ancestral customs of the kingdom. 1017