Bayero Travels to Saudi Arabia to Lead Prayers at Aminu Dantata’s Funeral

The deposed Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has travelled to Saudi Arabia to attend the burial of renowned businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, who passed away on Saturday in Abu Dhabi at the age of 94.

The burial is scheduled to take place in Madina, Saudi Arabia, in accordance with Islamic traditions, and is expected to attract dignitaries from across Nigeria.

Meanwhile, funeral prayers in absentia (Salatul Ga’ib) were conducted for the late Dantata on Saturday in Kano at the Umar Bin Khattab Mosque. The prayers were led by Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, Chairman of the Kano State Council of Ulamas.

Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, reinstated as Emir of Kano by the current state government, and Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who was deposed but still enjoys backing from the Federal Government, travelled separately to the Kingdom.

While Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf led an official delegation comprising Emir Sanusi II and senior officials from Kano and Jigawa States, Emir Bayero departed with his own entourage of loyalists, traditional titleholders, and palace officials.

Speaking with The PUNCH on Monday, Abubakar Balarabe Kofar Naisa, spokesperson for Emir Bayero, confirmed that the Emir and his delegation left Nigeria on Sunday.

Balarabe disclosed that the late Dantata had personally expressed his wish for Emir Bayero to lead his funeral prayer, citing the close relationship between Dantata and the Emir’s late father, Alhaji Ado Bayero.

“Dantata regarded His Highness as a son because of his longstanding bond with the late Alhaji Ado Bayero. That’s why he left clear instructions that Aminu Ado Bayero should lead his funeral prayer,” Balarabe explained.

The Emir’s delegation includes key palace officials such as Sarkin Dawaki, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’agundi, and Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, a member of the House of Representatives.

Sources familiar with the situation confirmed that both Emir Sanusi II and Emir Bayero would be present in Saudi Arabia to pay their final respects to the late Dantata, whose legacy in commerce, religion, and philanthropy shaped Northern Nigeria for decades.

Commenting on the development, political analyst Mustapha Isa Kwaru described the simultaneous presence of the two rival emirs at the burial as a “symbolic yet uneasy moment” given the ongoing legal and political battle over the Kano throne.

As of Monday morning, both delegations had arrived in Saudi Arabia, where they are expected to meet with members of the Dantata family and members of the Kano community residing in the kingdom.

Alhaji Aminu Dantata was regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential businessmen and elder statesmen, whose impact spanned generations.