Ibrahim Babangida’s men, led by Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, are now in control of Sokoto State, tilting the contest for the throne of Sardauna in favour of Babangida's man, the deposed Sultan, Ibrahim Dasuki, who is now jostling to return following the death of his arch-rival, Sultan Muhammadu Maccido, in the ADC air crash on Sunday. Apart from Dasuki, the other top contenders are all IBB's men.
Babangida couldn't be happier that Sultan Maccido is dead. He provided a major obstacle to Babangida's presidential ambition in the core north where the influence of the Sultan is widespread. Maccido, having been once cheated out of power in 1988 by Babangida and Dasuki, remained a foe until his death.
Nigerian Tribune reports that soon after the late Sultan was buried late Sunday, nocturnal scheming had commenced among IBB's associates to return the deposed Sultan, Alhaji Dasuki, to power. If Dasuki returns, it would bring a significant enhancement to Babangida's dream of becoming a civilian president.
Even if Dasuki fails, as latest reports are beginning to indicate, Babangida's men still litter the battlefield. THISDAY has reported that the top contenders now seem to be Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji (former finance minister under the Babangida's regime), Alhaji Sambo Dasuki (former Managing Director, Nigeria Security, Printing and Mint Company, who also served with Babangida) and Ambassaor Shehu Malami (former Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, yet another Babangida era prince). Unconfirmed reports say the three names have been forwarded for consideration to the state governor, who is on paper expected to endorse the choice of the kingmakers. No matter how you look at it, Maccido's death works in IBB's favor.
Dasuki was dethroned by the late General Sani Abacha who also barred him from entering the Sokoto caliphate. Dasuki’s reported comeback bid is hinged on reports that politically, his camp is in charge of the Sokoto State government led by Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, who reportedly was not to be on good terms with the late Sultan.
Nigerian Tribune findings showed that the deposed Sultan was an associate of General Ibrahim Babangida, a situation that speeded up his removal by the late Sani Abacha.
According to the sultanate tradition, a successor must emerge after three days of mourning, and that period ends tomorrow. Eleven kingmakers, led by Magajin Gari, who is now the caretaker of the Sultanate, are expected to select one of the princes though one of the most powerful kingmakers, the Magajin Rafi, reportedly died in the air crash.
Nigerian Tribune investigation showed that soon after the late Sultan was buried late Sunday, nocturnal scheming had commenced with speculation being very rife that the deposed Sultan, Alhaji Dasuki, was plotting a comeback.
Dasuki was dethroned by the late General Sani Abacha who also barred him from entering the Sokoto caliphate. Dasuki’s reported comeback bid is hinged on reports that politically, his camp is in charge of the Sokoto State government led by Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, who reportedly was not to be on good terms with the late Sultan.
Nigerian Tribune findings showed that the deposed Sultan was an associate of General Ibrahim Babangida, a situation that speeded up his removal by the late Sani Abacha.
Babangida’s men, led by Governor Bafarawa, are now in control of Sokoto State, a factor reports said might tilt the equation in favour of Dasuki.
Other findings also revealed that two of Dasuki’s sons were in the race for the Sultan’s seat despite rumours of their father’s comeback bid.
Colonel Sambo Dasuki, the former Managing Director of the Nigeria Security and Minting Corporation, is reported to be in contention though he has stayed away from public glare in the last few years.
Another Dasuki son said to be one of the richest Nigerians from the North, Alhaji Ahmed Dasuki, a director of the IBTC Chartered Bank, is also a frontline contender for the stool.
He is said to possess the wherewithal to fight the succession battle though it was not clear yet whether both Sambo and Ahmed would leave the race for their father.
Others in the race outside the Dasuki family included Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, a former federal permanent secretary and finance minister who is the Sardauna of Sokoto.
Alhaji Abubakar is a cousin of Alhaji Dasuki and he was also partly considered when Dasuki was first appointed. The former finance minister was a known contender even when the late Sultan was alive and he is a special adviser to the Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Bafarawa.
Alhaji Abubakar, in an interview last year, was asked about his ambition for the Sultan’s stool, but he answered by praying for long life for the late Sultan Maccido.
Apart from Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to South Africa, Alhaji Shehu Salami, is also in contention as a prince occupying the stool of Sarki Sudan of Wurno.
He once vied for the position with both Dasuki and the late Maccido and he is regarded as having the wherewithal to seek the seat though age is not on his side.
