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Emir of Gumel, Ahmad Muhammad Sani, Dies After 45 Years on the Throne

Published

2 months ago

September 3, 2026

The Emir of Gumel, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad Sani II, has died after more than four decades on the throne, bringing to an end the reign of one of Northern Nigeria’s longest-serving traditional rulers.

Ahmad Muhammad Sani II, who became the 16th Emir of Gumel, ascended the throne in 1980 following the death of his father, the late Emir Maina Muhammad Sani II. He subsequently received his staff of office from the then Governor of Kano State, the late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, in 1981.

His death marks the end of a historic reign that spanned more than 45 years and covered some of the most significant political, social and administrative changes in the old Kano State and, later, Jigawa State.

Before ascending the traditional throne, the late Emir was actively involved in public service and politics. He served as Commissioner for Information, Internal Affairs and Culture in the Kano State Government during the administration of Governor Abubakar Rimi between 1979 and 1980.

His transition from political office to the traditional institution came after the death of his father in December 1980. Historical records indicate that Ahmad Muhammad Sani was selected to succeed his father on December 16, 1980, while his formal presentation with the staff of office followed on May 29, 1981.

As Commissioner for Information, he was associated with important developments in the media sector of the then Kano State. Records indicate that during his tenure, he played a role in the establishment of Triumph newspaper and CTV67 television station, now associated with the state’s television broadcasting history, while also overseeing the expansion of Radio Kano.

His educational background was also notable. He attended Gumel Primary School and Hadejia Middle School before graduating from Kano High School at Rumfa College in 1961. He later obtained qualifications in Public Administration from the Institute of Administration in Zaria, now part of Ahmadu Bello University, and pursued further studies in Political Science and International Relations at Ohio University in the United States.

Before entering politics, Ahmad Muhammad Sani had worked with the Gumel Native Authority and later joined the Immigration Department, where he was posted to Ngamboru Ngala in present-day Borno State. He subsequently served as a senior government official in the Kazaure Divisional Office before moving into politics in 1978.

His long reign as Emir of Gumel made him one of the most experienced traditional rulers in Northern Nigeria. The Jigawa State Government describes him as the 16th Emir of Gumel and records that he had remained on the throne since 1981.

Over the years, the Emir became associated with efforts to promote peace, education, community development and the preservation of traditional values. His palace also played a role in mobilising communities around government programmes, including public health initiatives.

The World Health Organisation, for instance, previously identified the Emir of Gumel as one of the traditional rulers who played an active role in promoting immunisation activities in his emirate. The organisation reported that he publicly vaccinated his own children as part of efforts to reassure communities about the safety of polio vaccination.

Even in the later years of his reign, the Emir continued to participate in peace-building and community affairs. In 2025, he was represented at a farmers-herders peace meeting in Jigawa, where his message emphasised dialogue and mutual understanding as essential to achieving lasting peace.

In December 2025, the Emirate marked his 45th anniversary on the throne, with prominent national and traditional figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Sultan of Sokoto, participating in activities associated with the anniversary.

His death therefore comes after a reign that began in the final years of the Second Republic and continued through successive military governments, the return to democratic rule in 1999, the creation of Jigawa State and several generations of political leadership.

The Emir of Gumel’s reign also represented a unique bridge between political administration and traditional leadership. Having served as a senior political office holder before becoming a monarch, he brought extensive experience of government and public administration to the traditional institution.

With his passing, the Gumel Emirate loses a monarch whose tenure lasted more than four decades and whose public career had already begun before his accession to the throne.

Details concerning his burial arrangements, the circumstances surrounding his death and the process for selecting his successor are expected to be announced by the Gumel Emirate Council and the Jigawa State Government

News

President Tinubu Departs Jeddah for Abuja After Completing Umrah

Published

5 hours ago

November 4, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, departed from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for Abuja, following the successful completion of his Umrah pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah.

Accompanying Mr Tinubu to the airport were the Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo and the Consul-General, Muazam Ibrahim Nayaya.

Before Mr Tinubu’s departure, he had a brief meeting with Mr Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Guest Palace at the airport.

While in Saudi Arabia, Mr Tinubu, alongside members of the Nigerian delegation, performed the Umrah rites, including circumambulating the Holy Ka’aba. On Sunday, Mr Tinubu was granted the rare privilege of entering the sacred structure, where he and members of his delegation performed two raka’at prayers.

Mr Tinubu expressed his gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the special courtesies and hospitality extended to him and the Nigerian delegation, particularly the privilege of accessing the Holy Ka’aba to offer prayers.

Members of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, departed from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for Abuja, following the successful entourage included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the governors of Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Borno and Yobe states, among others.

News

2027: Atiku Kicks off Campaign in Sokoto

Published

5 hours ago

November 4, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) kicked off its presidential campaign rally for the 2027 presidential election in Sokoto State on Wednesday with crowd welcoming the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The party said thousands of supporters lined the route from Sultan Muhammad III International Airport to its state secretariat, where Atiku’s campaign rally was held.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, said the former vice president’s motorcade took about three and a half hours to reach the rally venue due to the large turnout.

He said residents, including youths, women and elderly people, abandoned their businesses and other daily activities to join the procession and welcome the ADC candidate.

The campaign council described the turnout as spontaneous, dismissing suggestions that the crowd was mobilised through financial inducements.

It said the reception demonstrated growing support for Atiku’s promise to address the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, particularly the rising costs of food, transportation, fuel and other essential commodities.Nigeria travel guide

The ADC also accused the Sokoto State Government of frustrating its campaign activities by denying the party access to public facilities requested for the rally.

According to the campaign council, the alleged restrictions did not discourage supporters but rather heightened public resentment and strengthened the party’s mobilisation.

“The federal government and its APC allies should understand that denying people a venue cannot suppress their political choices. In Sokoto, those efforts backfired: the people came out in even greater numbers and made their voices heard,” the statement said.

At the rally, Atiku reiterated his commitment to addressing the cost-of-living crisis and restoring economic stability for households and businesses, according to the campaign council.

The former vice president proposed a targeted, production-based subsidy for qualifying petroleum products refined locally as part of his economic agenda.

The council said the proposed policy would link government support to domestic production, reduce fuel costs and ease the impact of high transportation and energy expenses on food prices and household budgets.

It said the proposal was designed to encourage local production while providing relief to Nigerians struggling with the removal of petroleum subsidy.Nigeria travel guide

The campaign council maintained that the ADC’s economic agenda was centred on making essential goods and services affordable, supporting local industries and addressing the hardship experienced by ordinary Nigerians.

“When you have a message that connects with the people, you do not need to rent a crowd. The people show up on their own,” Mr Shaibu said.

News

Abdul El-Sayed Becomes First Muslim Senator in U.S.

Published

5 hours ago

November 4, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Abdul El-Sayed, a Democrat, has become the first Muslim senator in the U.S. after securing 2.2 million votes in Michigan, about 52 per cent, to defeat Republican candidate Mike Rogers and Libertarian Lydia Christensen.

Mr El-Sayed, 42, an immigrant born to Egyptian parents, fought a hard-won victory given his candidacy was highly scrutinised over his ties to Islam and open rebuke of Israel.

Results showed Mr El-Sayed led with 52 per cent, the GOP candidate scored 46.1 per cent, and Ms Christensen got one per cent of total votes cast.

Mr El-Sayed’s candidacy struggled after Haley Stevens, a Democratic candidate he defeated in the primary, withdrew her support two days before the midterm polls.

Mrs Stevens endorsed the Republican candidate, saying she could no longer support Mr El-Sayed over what she described as anti-semitism. She asked Mr El-Sayed to condemn an advertisement promoting his candidacy, which blamed U.S. support for Israel for rising cost of goods and the war in Iran.

Mr El-Sayed declined and publicly uninvited her from a joint appearance they were scheduled to have in Detroit. Ms Stevens withdrew her support two nights before the election.

The move stunned Democrats who viewed her actions as a betrayal to the party. But her clout appeared limited with Mr El-Sayed’s victory at the polls.

Former President Barack Obama campaigned for Mr El-Sayed in Michigan, a presidential battleground where President Donald Trump won by 1.4 points to defeat Kamala Harris in November 2024.

Senator Gary Peters, the incumbent Michigan senator, will retire after his term expires in January, when Mr El-Sayed is scheduled to be sworn in.