Thread by @Noble_Hassan

Check and Balances are the only political instruments that holds any form of leadership together. It is balance and fair play that held the Kano Emirate for 200 years before its balkanization by a progeny of slaves

After the success of the Fulani war there appeared to be what we could call power vacuum in today's politics as Kano spent almost 3 years without central leadership. The gallant leaders of the prominent Fulani clans who set out to meet Shehu Danfodio. Kano needed an Amir

The meeting which saw Shehu represented by his son Muhammadu Bello produced Modibbo Suleimanu of Mundubawa clan as the Emir of Kano. This appointment didn't go down well with the heads of clan as they believed Suleimanu was largely a spectator during the Fulani wars

The leaders of the Fulani clans opposed most of Emir Suleiman's policies and it saw a rift between Emir Suleiman and Malam Dabo of Dambazawa clan. Malam Dabo was the respected head of Dambazawa clan, a clan that contributed immensely with logistics and intellence during the Jihad

The death of Emir Suleiman in 1819 marked a turning point for the Kano. It saw the emergence of Malam Ibrahim Dabo of Sullubawa Clan who was appointed Emir of Kano based on the recommendations of Late Emir Suleiman in a letter he wrote to Sultan Muhammadu Bello

Malam Ibrahim Dabo centralized Kano leadership and accorded each prominent clan with a befitting role, hence creating balance that stabilize the emirate for 200 years. It is a system that carried everyone along.

Malam Dabo of Dambazawa clan became Sarki Bai with most of Northern part of Kano under his kingdom and also a Kingmaker

The Jobawa who were a rival clan of the Sullubawa (Ibrahim Dabo's clan) and strong contenders too retained much of the Eastern part of Kano

The Yolawa of which my brother @farouqyola is a progeny of retained the role of Madakin Kano, a King maker role.

These three Sarkin Bai, Madaki and Makama and Sarkin Dawaki Mai Tuta became Kingmakers