How Sanusi’s ‘appointment’ as Tijjaniyya leader generated controversy

Penultimate Saturday, the purported appointment of deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II as the leader of the Tijjaniyya Muslim sect in Nigeria has thrown members of the sect into confusion. The centre of the controversy was in a statement purportedly made by one of the offsprings of the late leader of the sect, Sheikh […]

Penultimate Saturday, the purported appointment of deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II as the leader of the Tijjaniyya Muslim sect in Nigeria has thrown members of the sect into confusion.

The centre of the controversy was in a statement purportedly made by one of the offsprings of the late leader of the sect, Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass, Sheikh Sheikh Makey Nyass, that many considered as appointing the former emir as leader of the sect.

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The statement was made in Sokoto during one of the activities to commemorate the annual Maulud of the late Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass.

However, the Grand World Leader of the Sect, Sheikh Mahi Nyass, who was also in Sokoto for the event, denied the appointment on the ground that it did not follow the right modalities.

In an interview with newsmen, Sheikh Mahi Nyass explained that the installation of Nigeria and African Leadership of Dhariqa Tijjaniyya (Calipha) was an activity that must be scrutinised after nomination from scholars from Nigeria and Senegal.

Sheikh Nyass said, “Such decisions have to be discussed at different forums and consensus must be reached before the formal announcement. After this, a letter of credence endorsed by a group of scholars duly signed and stamped by the grand world leader (Caliphatul Arrm) would now be presented to the person appointed.

“In his case (Emir Sanusi II), such modalities were not followed nor has he presented himself or indicated interest in the seat of the African leadership of Dhariqa Tijjaniyya.”

Similarly, one of the sons of Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, Ibrahim Dahiru, insisted that Sheikh Makey Nyass was quoted out of context, describing the purported appointment as an act of mischief makers.

The leader of the sect in Sokoto, Prof. Abubakar Abubakar Yagawal, however, said even though the former emir was the right person for the position, such a thing was never discussed anywhere during their week-long activities.

Prof. Yagawal said, “The truth of the matter is that the message of the sheikh was misconstrued. I was not there when he made his address because I didn’t attend the Wazifa (prayer session) that day.

“But what I learnt was that the sheikh spoke on the significance of having the former emir in our midst, and he also narrated how his grandfather was appointed caliph after his dethronement by his father, Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass, noting that he (Sanusi II) too could be caliph.

“But the person who was interpreting his remarks because it was in Arabic language erroneously said that he appointed Sanusi as the leader of the sect in Africa; and before you knew it, the news spread like bush fire.

“We have to call a press conference to debunk that and tell the world the true situation of things, because the sheikh did not categorically state that, as before appointing anybody into whatever position, the grand world leader must sit and deliberate over it with his brothers and must consult other sect leaders in Morrocco and Nigeria after which a letter of credence would be issued to that person.

“All members of the Tijjaniya sect in the country know that the former emir deserves the position and we are waiting for his formal appointment as our leader in Africa.”

On why he said the former emir was the right person for the job, Prof. Yaguwal said their relationship with Kaulaha and Sheikh Nyass started from their house and that it was maintained by him.

He added that the former emir was a committed member of Tijjaniya and is “well exposed, knowledgeable and agile, in addition to being a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Sheikh Makey quoted out of context

Sheikh Ibrahim Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi said the statement of Sheikh Makey was misinterpreted because there was a procedure of selecting leaders in the sect and that it was not followed.

He said, “Sheikh Makey is the younger brother of the world grand leader, he knows the procedure, and there is no way he will select the leader single handedly. I believe the translator must have misinterpreted his statement.”

Sheikh Ibrahim quoted Makey as saying, “We are all gathered here to remember and give thanks to Allah on this day of Juma’a: the families of Inyass and that of Bayero, meaning Abdullahi Bayero who brought Nyass to Nigeria and the progeny of the Tijjaniya sect leader in Nigeria, Sanusi.”

He explained that, “The translator went ahead to say they have made Sanusi a leader of Tijjaniyya in Nigeria. We don’t condone this in Tijjaniyya. We are very disciplined and respectful people, and we will not allow anyone to disrespect our principles of followership. We should fear Allah.”

He further said it was the responsibility of the top Tijjaniyya clerics in Nigeria to select a candidate and send to the Kaulaha (Senegal).

Tijjaniyya leadership not hereditary

Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi also explained that leadership in the Tijjaniyya sect was something that had to do with the fear of Allah, being dutiful to Him and was not hereditary.

He acknowledged the fact that Sanusi II was very close to his family and was a follower of his father, but appealed that members should not give in to the tactics of people who were bent on creating cracks among them.

Sanusi I died with his leadership

Another cleric, Imam Tijjani, said the circumstances that led Sheikh Ibrahim to appoint the former Emir of Kano, Sanusi I, elapsed when the emir died.

He said a cleric could appoint anyone as leader but not as a vicegerent of Sheikh Ibrahim.

Tijjani noted that all the rumblings were needless because they could only cause division in the sect which they laboured to keep intact.

He said, “It was an esteemed comment made on our brother, the former Emir Sanusi II, that he succeeded his grandfather to be the Emir of Kano and was similarly dethroned. He is our own and his success is ours Tijjaniyyawa.”

We witnessed his appointment

Some people close to the former Emir Sanusi II said they were witnesses to his appointment because it was announced publicly.

Malama Sa’adatu Baba Ahmed who noted that Emir Sanusi II was conferred with the leadership in public, said, “Of whether due process had been followed is another thing that leaders of the sect should sort.”

We heard it as news – Sheikh Isyaka Rabi’u’s family

When contacted, the family of the late Tijjaniya leader of Africa, Sheikh Isyaka Rabi’u, said they heard the story of Sanusi’s appointment in the news, like any other person.

Commenting on the issue, Doctor Yusuf Isiyaka Rabi’u said, “The throne is not hereditary that any of them must claim. It’s something that Allah chooses who He wants to give. We were told that Sanusi has been eying that seat, but we are not aware of his appointment. The story was on social media.

“I took part in most of the occasions which the former Emir Sanusi II attended before the Maulud, but I did not hear where they appointed him, therefore we became very surprised.”

Yusuf further said, “I made phone calls to people in Kaulaha to know the veracity of the report but they all said it’s not true.”

When Daily Trust asked him about the procedure followed when his father was made the leader of Africa, he said the letter of credence was sent to him from Morocco contrary to what transpired last week.

He explained that, “The letter of credence was from Sheikh Zubair, the grandson of Sheikh Ahmed Tijjani, that took it to Senegal, down to Nigeria where it was finally handed over to my father. May Allah have mercy on him.”

He further said it was normal when the vacancy of the throne took a long time, “Because the time it has taken now is not as long as the time taken before my father ascended the throne years after the death of Emir Sanusi I.”

When Daily Trust  Saturday contacted the Council of Shurah (concensus) of the Tijjaniyya sect in Kano, the Chairman, Sheikh Ibrahim Sank Shehu Maihula, said they were going to meet to discuss the issue.

We haven’t appointed anyone as Tijjaniyyah caliph in Nigeria’

The General Caliph of Tijjaniyya Worldwide, Sheikh Makey Sheikh Inyass, has said they were not aware of appointing anyone as caliph of the sect in Nigeria.

Sheik Makey, in a statement by the spokesman of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Abba Anwar, stated that the state was blessed with so many renowned Islamic scholars who ought to have been consulted before making the declaration, and that the said announcement was done without his consent as the leader of the sect worldwide.