Abba Anwar

Kano State, Nigeria.

I respect Jokolo for two fundamental reasons. He is neck-deepped in his belief and practice of one of the most fundamental pillars of democracy, that is freedom of expression. And secondly, he is so much concerned about what his subjects (talakawa) are rightly interested in. He can go to any length to defend the yearnings and aspirations of his subordinates in all matters that affect their Deen (religion), progress, respectful aspects of their culture, name them. There might be some other significant things that have all the capability to make me dove my cap for this gentleman.

The sudden dethronement of Jokolo could never be without an ulterior motive. One could also theorise dozens of schools of thought on how politics could be used to cripple the efforts of the traditional, but courageous institution, in the genuine enthronement of democracy. My personal opinion tells me that when traditional institution spearheads the fundamental tenets of democracy, then of course, without any fear of mincing words, democracy has come to stay. In a society where traditional institution is highly respected, then the proper and timely inclusion of the same institution in the promotion of an aspect or aspects of democracy gives a helping hand in hastening the informed understanding of democracy and its tenets by the poor majority. To cap it all, the understanding, promotion and defence of democracy will definitely trickle down to the larger uninformed populace.

Many reasons can be given for deposing an Emir. But the fact remains that, could these reasons hold water? What informs the reasons advanced? Was there any home work before a decision is taken? Who envisages what for a possible repercussions? There are many variables that must be studied before such drastic measures are taken. What of if there might be a looming crisis? As it was the case in the early 80s when then governor of Kano state, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi, attempted to dethrone the Emir of Kano, Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Bayero. Kano saw hell! When an Emir is deposed there are three (3) basically fundamental factors, in my little understanding, that determine what would follow next. The factors are the scenario upon which the deposition operates, the political atmosphere that is in existence during the exercise and the reasons advanced for the deposition.

Not all dethronements have quite similar outlooks. Some are with peculiarities. This piece will look at some close examples. From there then the reader can deduce what are deducables according to his understanding of the explanations together with the peculiarities. I could remember vividly clear in the early 80s the then governor of Kano state, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi, attempted to remove the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, from the throne. It was an attempt. But what followed was a real hell! There was a total breakdown of law and order then. Just an anomie! That was the day when governor Rimi's political advisor, Dr. Bala Muhammad was ambushed and killed in his residence. May be this issue of Rimi and Ado Bayero needs a Marxian class analysis.

But what confuses and further complicates the analysis is, if Rimi said he was doing that to promote and protect the interest of the poor people, so the effort turned against him and his utopian thinking for the simple reason that it was the same poor or rather downtrodden ones that rose against Rimi's move. Though according to the laid down procedures, the power of dethroning an Emir rests with the governor of where the Emir exercises his traditional power, but many people are of the opinion that Rimi could not and did not succeed because he lacked the backing of the then president Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shagari. It was not only the party difference that stopped Shagari from backing him. The duo had fundamental differences in their political focus and direction.

So it was either directly or indirectly the presidency that emasculated Rimi's attempt. We are talking of a civilian dispensation. As at now. It is known to all of us that during a military regime the issue of lobbying or advancing convincing arguments to dethrone a victim Emir are not there. That was why during the late Head of state, General Sani Abacha, the then Sole Administrator of Sokoto dethroned the then Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki. And it was clear to all that the apex authority from Aso Rock, Presidential Villa, Abuja, had a soaked hand in the orchestrated arrangement. I want the reader to take it at the back of his mind that, the Sultan of Sokoto is the apex traditional ruler in the Sokoto Caliphate. All other Emirs receive orders from him. Despite the fact that it was a military administration, there were killings and lootings in Sokoto state, then.

Many people saw the action as a slap on the face of the Caliphate. Some other more believe that it was a tyrannical way of doing things. But what happened? Ibrahim Dasuki was not re-instated. Simply because the action had a solid backing of the seat of power, Abuja. So you can see the argument? Rimi failed because the presidency was not behind him. And the military administrator of Sokoto succeeded not because he was a military, but because he had the support of the then Head of state, General Sani Abacha. May his soul rest in perfect peace, ameen. Coming down to the just dethroned Mustapha Jokolo's issue, there could be many interpretations to it.

I am talking in terms of looking at the political atmosphere, the reasons advanced by the Kebbi state government and the peculiarities of the dethronement. One needs to understand the possible implications, the reactions and counter-reactions and the envisaged repercussions, before he could come up with a logical and scientifically accepted conclusive result. Mustapha Jokolo is known for defending the interest of his people at whatever length. He believes in the concept of freedom of speech or expression. A staunch follower and believer of what he chooses to be his faith. He is an advocate and a supporter of democracy. He is without any iota of doubt, a promoter of separation of power and checks and balances in his own right. Being an Emir does not mean one is not a promoter of checks and balances. Jokolo is frank and dogged in what he believes in. If I could remember clearly Jokolo was in the forefront of those Nigerians that are vehemently against the application of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) on our children, based on the researches conducted by experts in the field. He never hid his identity and point of view as far as the issue of OPV is concerned. He was vocal and categorical about the vaccination. In fact he even called on people to totally reject it. I am dead certained that it did not go well with the government, both at state and national levels. Not only then even the international donor agencies were extremely disturbed with Jokolo's position. He is always ready to speak his mind on any issue you can think of. What triggered the anger most was his position on the hot argument that was on the Muslims representation in the National Political Reform Conference. He was one of the frontliners that were persistently urging the Muslims to boycott the Conference. And he accused the back benchers of slowing down the struggle. He is always in the defence of Islam and the Northern interest if it suits that of Islam. And of course a lover of the Nigerian nation state. A patriot per excellence. According to Jokolo there is nothing like fairness in the appointment of the membership of the Political Reform Conference. His positions and that of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo's on many topical issues of national importance are in absolute paralled positions. And he has every right as a citizen of this great nation to hold contrary opinion with whoever he so wishes.

My humble and fair submission to the Kebbi state governor, Alhaji Adamu Aliero (All-error?), his government is, if they think they can divert the attention of Jokolo in what he believes in, they got all their calculations wrong. And if they think this is their way of fighting the illusioned Nigerian form of "terrorism," they are dead confused and wrong! I do not believe holding a contrary opinion with Obasanjo is disrespect to the constituted authority. What more of a contrary opinion with that of the Kebbi state government? Connivance has always been a monster to its architectures. Some of the reasons given by the Kebbi state government for the dethronement is, the said Emir travelled abroad without any permission from the authority. So can that really attract dethronement? Even during the military regime of General Muhammadu Buhari, who is seen as one of the harshest and responsible leaders the country ever had, when some two respectful traditional rulers of first class calibre went to Israel, they were only punished with the suspension of travelling abroad for the period of six months. And their case was they went without any permission, a country that had no diplomatic tie with Nigeria then. That was during the military era. Can you imagine that? They were only suspended for six (6) months. So what are we saying? Are we living in an administration that is more tyrannical than a military regime? It is the embodiment of these kinds of irrational decisions that expose our dear country to a long lasting military regime. All the stakeholders should take note. Another ill-conceived reason given by the Kebbi state government was, they said the dethroned Emir was making statements capable of inciting the public. And the government was not categorical. We are please pleading with the state government to come in the public and tell us the inciting statements Jokolo was making. If they are not capable of doing that, then please let them go and bury their heads in shame.

To Alhaji Mustapha Haruna Jokolo, I do not subscribe to the notion that you should go to court. Yes I believe courts have orders, but at the same time there are many disorders in our courts. Just leave everything to the people to judge. I have confidence in people's court. I am for sure that you would one day be vindicated. Public incitement my feet! I rest my cases.

Abba Anwar, Kano State, Nigeria.

abbanwar@yahoo.com