How Baba Farouq emerged emir of Katagum
From Balarabe Alkassim, Bauchi
Since the death of Emir of Katagum, Alhaji Kabir Umar, there was no widespread concern within and outside the emirate that choosing a successor would be difficult.
The belief was based on the fact that there had never been an intense struggle between eligible candidates for the throne in the past because of a closely-knitted lineage which made it easy for the successor to emerge.
However, what happened in subsequent days after the late emir was buried nearly changed the history of Katagum emirate.
While many believed that as a tradition, whoever was the District Head of Shira is the likely successor, others opined that the power of confirming the successor lies with the state government and it was the discretion of Governor Mohammed Abubakar to endorse a successor.
Baba Umar Farouq, the District Head of Shira is the eldest son among the 49 children left behind by the late emir, which made him eligible going by the laid-down tradition. How he emerged Farouq was said to be the best choice among kingmakers, his siblings and other traditional title holders of the emirate.
However, intense horse-trading began as other people expressed their interests to vie for the throne. This is normal though. The District Head of Madara, Lele Mukhtar and a former military administrator to Sokoto State, Yakubu Mu’azu (rtd) showed interest to become the emir.
Most of the stakeholders in the emirate were said to have been uncomfortable with the emergence of the two contenders which brought an unusual challenge in the history of the emirate.
While Farouq was said to be chosen as successor to his late father by kingmakers, his siblings and other influential traditional title holders, the other two were said to be making contacts within the government to be selected for the Katagum emirate’s throne.
In fact, the district head of Madara was said to be very close to Governor Abubakar and many believed his backers may convince the governor on his choice.
On the other hand, Mu’azu is said to be confident because of his military background and retired military officers have in recent years been appointed as emirs as seen in Zuru and Sokoto, among other places.
People of the emirate became slightly agitated as rumours went round that Farouq may be denied the chance to become the next emir and succeed his father.
Silence by the state government further heightened the tension while the social media was awash with rumours, speculations and outright lies regarding the Katagum emir’s appointment. What saved the day It was later learnt that, while the horse-trading and contacts by the people interested in becoming the emir were going on, the governor maintained his cool and made a bold decision.
He was said to have ordered the Katagum emirate to submit the names of three persons for consideration.
The letter containing the names of Farouq, Mukhtar and Mu’azu was said to have been sent on December 12 and was forwarded to the Bauchi State Emirate Council on December 13 for deliberations by the emir’s, led by the chairman and Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu.
The letter was reportedly returned to the governor who ratified the appointment of Farouq as the 12th Emir of Katagum.
Before his appointment was announced, speculations were widespread that prominent individuals as well as some emirates and emirs have put pressure on the pushing for their preferred choices among the three.
The governor, however, reportedly maintained his stand to select the candidate chosen by the kingmakers and people of the emirate. After series of consultation, the governor later ratified the appointment of Farouq.
His appointment was greeted with joy by people of the emirate confirming the love the subjects have for him.
After his appointment, President Muhammadu Buhari, in a message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, congratulated the new emir over his selection.
He commended Katagum Emirate Council and the Bauchi State Government for the peaceful transition of power, saying that the new emir is a worthy successor to his late father.
The president urged the new emir to use his experience as a retired federal permanent secretary to build on the legacies of his late father, ensure peace and development in the emirate in particular and the state in general.
“Traditional rulers are important in promoting and sustaining peace and development in our rural and urban communities,” the president said. The Emirate Katagum Emirate was founded by Malam Zaki after victory and destruction of the Kanem-Bornu Empire.
The emirate’s capital was later transferred to Azare and merged into Bauchi province.
It is the second largest emirate in Bauchi State spanning six out of the 20 local government areas and is the headquarters of Bauchi North Senatorial District, as well as its centre of social and political activities.
According to history, Mallam Zaki reigned as emir between 1807 and 1814.
He was succeeded by his brother, Suleiman Adandaya, who reigned from 1814 to 1816 and succeeded by Mallam Dankauwa, regarded as one of the most powerful emirs of the emirate and reigned between 1816 and 1846.
Mallam Abdurrahman succeeded him and reigned between 1846 and 1851 and was succeeded by Mallam Abdulkadir, who reigned from 1851 to 1868.
After the death of emir Abdulkadir, Muhammad Hajiji was made the emir and was on the throne between 1868 and 1896 and was succeeded by emirs Abdulkadir who reigned between 1896 and 1905 and later Muhammadu.
Emir Umar Farouq ruled the emirate between 1947 and 1980. He was one of its longest serving emirs and was succeeded by his son, Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Umar after his death in 1980.
Muhammadu Kabir Umar, the 11th Emir of Katagum died on December 9, 2017 at the age of 89 and was buried the next day at Zaki after a funeral prayer at his palace in Azare. He was the District Head of Shira at the time he was selected to succeed his father.