Enthronement Of New Wazirin Kano To Wait – Emirate

Although there are speculations of certain prominent Islamic scholars are tipped to succeed the late Sheikh Isah Waziri, Wazirin Kano, who died at 88 penultimate Friday. The Kano Emirate Council has said it is not in a hurry to name the new occupant of the office.


In an interview with LEADERSHIP Weekend in Kano, an official of the council said; “The emirate is busy with Sallah celebrations and also saddened by the ill-health of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, who has been taken abroad for treatment. We are not interested in who becomes the next Wazirin Kano. That will have to wait for now”.

 The late Sheikh Waziri, who succeeded his brother, Waziri Gidado, and occupied the position for 9 years, was appointed by the Alhaji Bayero, vested with the power to select the occupant of the office.

Until his death, Sheikh Waziri served as Shari’a court judge, school teacher, Juma’at mosque imam and as a senior adviser to Kano traditional ruler.

The source said that “without contradiction the real race to succeed the Wazirin of Kano emirate council has not started. The position is neither contested nor belongs to a particular family and our custom permits only Emir Bayero to choose the new Waziri”.

Among those being tipped for the office include a strong ally of Alhaji Bayero, Sheikh Nasir Muhammad Nasir, the Imam of the Juma’at mosque, largest mosque on the outskirts of Kano city;  Professor Sani Zaharaddeen, a retired Sharia court judge, Ustaz Yusuf Ali, and Sheikh Karibullah.

Sheikh Nasir was widely expected to be made the Imam of the city central mosque, but he did not make the list. He was also mentioned for Wazirin Kano office at the time the late occupant was selected. He had led in Juma’at prayer when the seat of the imam of City Central Mosque was vacant and sometimes led one of the Eid prayers at the City Eid Ground.

Professor Zaharaddeen is the Imam of the City Central Mosque, where Bayero observed his Juma’at prayers. He was former vice chancellor of Bayero University, Kano. A professor of Islamic studies, he has held various positions in the state and other places.

He is respected among Kano scholars and gains international recognition, especially from Arab countries. His versatility, experience, and as a descendent of a family that has served in the emirate for years are listed as being to his credit.