Clash of Emirs: Two Kano Emirs storm Saudi Arabia for Dantata’s burial…Bayero to lead funeral prayer
Kano’s political and traditional elite have converged on Saudi Arabia for the burial of the late business tycoon and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, who passed away on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, at the age of 94.
Among those who travelled to the Kingdom are Kano’s two rival emirs—Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, recently reinstated by the state government, and Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who was deposed but still enjoys the backing of the federal government.
While Emir Sanusi II joined the official state delegation led by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Emir Bayero departed separately with his own entourage, which included palace aides, traditional title holders, and loyal supporters.
Reports indicate that before his death, Dantata had expressed a personal wish for Emir Bayero to lead his funeral prayer.
The late patriarch of the Dantata family, regarded as one of the most influential in Northern Nigeria, will be laid to rest in Madina in accordance with Islamic rites.
As of Monday morning, both delegations had arrived in the holy city, where they are expected to link up with members of the Dantata family and other Nigerians living in the Kingdom.
In a separate move, President Bola Tinubu also sent a high-powered federal delegation to represent the government at the burial.
According to the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the delegation is led by the Minister of Defence and former Jigawa State governor, Badaru Abubakar.
Other members of the federal delegation include the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata.
Prominent Islamic clerics are also part of the delegation, including Sheikh Bashir Umar, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, and Khalifa Muhammad, who serves as the Imam of the Dantata Mosque in Abuja.
