Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero departed the world in the early hours of yesterday, leaving the state mourning and the royal seat vacant.
As the city mourned the death of the monarch, kingmakers would be left with the arduous task of looking a suitable successor.
There are four king makers in the Kano Emirate Council: Sarkin Bai, Sarkin Dawaki Mai Tuta, Madaki, and Makama. They are the senior councillors that have the right to sit and nominate a succeeding Emir. They can even nominate two or three potential nominees as the case may be, after which the likely successors’ names would be sent to the state governor for endorsement.
Here are some of the likeliest to succeed Alhaji Bayero.
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (Danmajen Kano)
Many will argue that the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has lived for a time like this. He hails from the Sarki Sanusi lineage. With many of the opinion that the position may go back to the late Sarki Sanusi lineage, the Wamban Kano and former CBN governor stand a better chance to be nominated by the king makers.
It was believed by some close observers of the Emirate Council that the appointment of the former CBN governor as the Dan Majen of Kano was part of the preparation to one day emerge as the new Emir of Kano.
“You see that is what we have been telling people that time would come when Sanusi Lamido Sanusi would be among the contenders of Kano Emir seat” observed Jamilu, a keen observer of the Emirate Council.
Abbas Sanusi, Wamban Kano
It common knowledge to the people of Kano that one of the front runners for the position is the present Wamban Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, who is the son of the late Emir of Kano Alhaji Sanusi Bayero.
Abbas is the senior Councillor in the Emirate and he was rumoured to be nursing the ambition of being the Emir of Kano for quite a long time now.
His huge experience in the Emirate may likely make some impact in his quest to succeed the late Bayero.
Tijjani Hashim (Galadiman Kano)
He is a very popular person among the Kano Emirate Council not only because of his wealth, but his near total influence over members of the emirate and across the state.
Hashim is a household name among the entire people of the state, popular amongst indigenes and non- indigenes alike largely because of his humanitarian activities
He is well connected in the circle of power brokers in the country. He is said to have a large following of dedicated followers.
Alhaji Tijjani Hashim also contributed to the improvement of trade between Kano people and other foreign nationals. He has for long been rumoured to be eyeing the emirship seat. With demise of the Emir Bayero, Alhaji Tijjani Hashim is said to be among the contenders.
Sanusi Ado Bayero (Chiroman Kano)
He is the youngest son of the Emir and also one of the district heads under the Emirate of Kano. Sanusi is known as the simple and close son of the Emir who is believed to be interested in succeeding his father.