The Waziri and Sardauna controversy, none is a Prime Minister
Congratulations to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on being conferred the Sardauna title of Ilorin Emirate, it is not a small feat, but his appointees claiming it means he is a “Prime Minister” is gross misrepresentation of historical fact, and arrangement that has shaped and sharpened Northern Nigeria’s political history. There has never been a Prime Minister in any of Nigeria’s Emirate Council. Therefore, even the Waziri does not literally mean a Prime Minister, and the Sardauna is far from it.
The title “Sardauna” is not strange to Northern Nigeria, and brings to mind Sir. Ahmadu Bello who is directly synonymous with the title, he was also a Knight of the British Empire. It was Ahmadu Bello that gave honour and significance to the title; even though it precedes him, it has been conferred on many across generations. The charisma, the influence, aura and steeze in which he carried that title made it prestigious and sort after, subsequent Sardauna were seen as image of Ahmadu Bello. Beyond that, he was a prince of the Sultanate. Governor Abdulrahman is no prince or royalty, has no such aura, charisma or steeze, the position will perhaps be as ordinary and simple as Abdulrahman pretends to be.
Waziri in Emirate is what Bashorun is in Oyo traditional hierarchy. Let me ask those referring to Sardauna as the Prime Minister, has there ever been any Sardauna that was part of the kingmakers council? Point to one. You can’t find any, even if you flip through the pages of books and records from Adam, the first man till date. Then, how can Sardauna Abdulrahman be higher than Waziri Saraki? The Waziris have always been part of the kingmakers council in the Sultanate where the titles originated from, and the Chairman of the council. Bashorun is the closest example of a Waziri, Sardauna was mostly bestowed on Princes as Captain of all Guards, they manage all aspects of security, including prisons, control of the military in time of war, lead elite squad for the Sultan. It is important to state that the Sultan that bestowed the title on Sir. Ahmadu Bello was previously a Sardauna himself. Plus, there have been previous Sardaunas in Ilorin, has there ever been a time the Royal house ranked them higher than the Waziris? No! Until today, nobody has ever referred to the Sardauna as a Prime Minister.
May I add that Waziri does not mean Prime Minister, and Sardauna will forever be far from a Prime Minister, it cannot literally mean the Prime Minister. Going history lane, Waziri Gidado of Sokoto retired the Emir of Daura hundreds of years ago, Daura was once the capital of Katsina, Katsina previously had allegiance to Western Sudan, one of its important states, then the Shonghai empire dynasty, then Bornu and the Usman Danfodiyo revolution came. The descendants of Asmau Danfodiyo held the most Waziri title, also known as Vizier, and further sealed the position as the second most important position in the Caliphate, second only to the Sheikh.
During Sokoto’s absolute monarchy, the Waziri was the Chairman of kingmakers and his vote was considered as the most important. The Sardauna was never a member of the kingmakers council, never! It is only in the imagination of mischief makers that is happening. Rather than congratulate the Governor, they are letting negativity, clarity and counter narratives fly, taking the shine away from a colour event.
The Chief Advisor of the Sultan was Waziri, there is Academic record for all these. A well trusted Waziri’s decisions were mostly ratified by the Sultan/Sheikh. They held vast influence in decision making, including appointment of Governors/Administrators.
Elevation in traditional title and position is based on seniority and promotion. In Asia, mostly Korea and China, the most Senior officials were referred to as “Chief State Councillor,” which is the English interpretation of the Chinese/Korean actual words for it.
In the case of Waziri, it does not naturally translate to “Prime Minister,” it has just always been likened to it, the closest thing it could be compared with in English system of administration due to the type of power they wielded. Interestingly, office of the Prime Minister was not created by any constitution, it merely evolved via different events and accident of history.
The Romans did the same with the Ottoman Empire, headed by the Sultan, which was also modelled after the Abbasid Caliphate, they compared the Vizier of the Ottoman Empire with the second in command to the Roman Emperor. One fact is incontrovertible, the Waziri is the second most senior cabinet member after the Sultan, you can check across ages, from Abbasid, to Ottoman, to Sokoto. In fact, Mehmed II of Ottoman’s emergence as Sultan was highly dependent on the approval of Candali Hallil Pasha, who was against the conquest of Constantinople, both at home and in the war front, they were in disagreement, and upon the conquest, Mehmed II replaced him with Zanga Pasha as Vizier/Waziri. One of his loyal Janissaries commanders that was loyal to him to a fault.
Waziri is a Vizier, non-elective like the Office of the Prime Minister. First general election held in UK around 1830, there was no Prime Minister under absolute English crown. Therefore, a Waziri cannot be be translated as Prime Minister, but Vizier.
In Adamawa, the Waziri is only second to the Lamido, a title currently held by Atiku Abubakar. In fact, by virtue of that position, Atiku is naturally ahead of first class Kings in Adamawa if it were to be absolute monarchy.
The right and most direct interpretation of a Waziri is “Vizier” not Prime Minister, Prime Minister position is elective, Viziership isn’t. The Vizier system in which Usman Danfodiyo built his Sultanate was modelled after the Abbasid Emirate. Usman Danfodiyo himself justified the existence of the “Vizier” also known as Waziri in his book “Bayan wujab al-hijra.” The first Waziri of Sokoto was Abdullahi Danfodiyo.
Please, get your fact right. Once again, congratulations to the Governor. I hope each side maintain peace, know their place.
Sulaiman Onimago
