WHO SUCCEEDS LATE VIZIER OF SOKOTO?

With the passage to the great beyond of the 12th vizier (waziri) of Sokoto, Alhaji Usman Junaidu, CFR, on Friday, the 19th of October 2017, a line of contestants to the vacant coveted seat has emerged.

The line of contestants herein is also attachable to a catalogue of prominent names of brothers and relations. The list is by now an informal one of who-is-who from the Abdulkadir DanNana, Buhari, and Ambo Ruling Houses under waziri Usman Gidado Dan Lema Vizier of Sokoto dynasty.

In the expected contestants list are Sociology of Education and First Class Graduate in Islamic Studies Professor Muhammad Ibn Junaid, Former Federal Permanent Secretary Sambo Ibrahim Bashar, Arabic Language and Islamic Studies Professor Sambo Wali Junaid, Islamic Religious promoter and community and people's development energizer and legislative icon Hon Abdullahi maigwandu and animal health professor Abdulkadir Usman Junaidu.

Others are builder Abdulkadir Ibrahim Waziri, former Deputy Governor and Minister Ahmed Muhammad Gusau. And others yet to make their intentions public.

Experts and commentators on Sokoto Sultanate Affairs posit that when the contest becomes tougher, about five to seven top most applicants may appear on the list formally.

Coalitions, alliances, concessions and withdrawals of a good number of hopefuls will occur. In the run out, consensus or election may take place.

The expected credentials of candidate applicants are high education, experience, loyalty, influence, connection, and initiatives.

Others include exposure, charisma, flexibility, societal acceptance, good judgment, disposition, age, and foresight and community development contributions. Others are human and public relations, accessibility, mobilization ability, magnanimity and generosity, delegated authority, conscientiousness and conflict resolutions capacity.

The known responsibilities of the Vizier under Sokoto Sultanate include exercising the most senior position holding after that of the Sultan, exercising the functions of an Amir, in charge of statutory documentation.

He is the most senior among Sultanate King Makers. He as well stands tall among over 86 District Rulers and over 300 village heads state wide.

The very significance of the post of the Wazirin Sokoto became manifestive when multitudes of mourners from all walks of life thronged the Gidadawa official residence of the late Waziri of Sokoto on condolence and commiseration.

Much in terms of integral approach to royal compassion and symbolization will be expected from whoever Allah bestows with the position of the new and the twelfth Vizier of Sokoto.

God bless the new to be Waziri of Sokoto, long live the Sultan of Sokoto, long live Sokoto State, and long live Sokoto Caliphal Sultanate.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
A rundown of the past Viziers of Sokoto.
1. Abdullah bn Muhammad Fodiye (1874–1886)

2. Gidado dan Laima (1817–1842)
3. Abd al-Qadir bn Usman Gidado (1842–1859)
4. Ibrahim Khalilu bn Abd al-Qadir (1859–1874)
5. Abdullahi Bayero bn Gidado (1874–1886)
6. Muhammadu Bukhari bn Ahmad(1886–1910)
7. Muhammadu Sambo bn Ahmad1910–1912)
8. Abd al- Qadir Maccido bn Bukhari(1912–1925)
9. Adili bn Khalilu (1925–1928)
10. Abass bn Bukhari (1928–1948)
11. Junaid bn Bukhari (1948–1997)
12. Usman bn Junaid(1997)-2017

By: Ibrahim Basit Ahmed of Latest Media
Communication Limited and Bukhary Maigwandu, a Sokoto based Public Affairs Commentator.