By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The succession tussle over the Agankyu of Kakanda stool has continued to attract attention as Prince Idrees Abdullahi, the Natsu of Kakanda Kingdom, has declared that the current Shaba of the kingdom, Engineer Faruq Muhammad, is the only candidate traditionally qualified to ascend the revered throne.
Speaking in an interview with journalists in Lokoja on Monday, Prince Abdullahi anchored his position on long-established customs, royal lineage, and the clearly defined succession structure of the Kakanda people.
He stressed that the Agankyu stool is not subject to open contest but strictly governed by tradition.
“I am a son to a king and I am also a son to a princess. We are all from ruling houses,” he said.
“Everyone in this kingdom understands the structure, the symbols, and the limits of every house.”
He disclosed that the kingdom lost its monarch barely eight days ago, describing the reign of the late Agankyu as historic and impactful.
“During his time, the stool attained first-class status. During his time, the court was renovated. During his time, we produced the Speaker and a Minister. All these were God’s blessings during his reign,” he stated.
Explaining the traditional hierarchy of the Kakanda Kingdom, Prince Abdullahi said the council system places the Shaba at the heart of royal succession.
“In our tradition, the Shaba sits on the right-hand side of the king. He is the first councillor,” he explained.
“From the Shaba, we produce the king,” he said.
“When a person is appointed Shaba, he is trained to understand the heart of the king, so that after the king’s demise, he continues from where the king stopped. That is our tradition.”
He described Engr. Faruq Muhammad, the current Shaba of the kingdom, as an exceptional figure whose emergence was devoid of ambition or rivalry.
“Fortunately, we have the best Shaba in the history of this kingdom — the most elaborate and the most popular,” he said.
“In the past, some kings lost up to seven Shabas during their reign because of tussles. But for Muhammad there was tussle. He didn’t even want it; we persuaded him.”
Calling for calm among rival claimants, Prince Abdullahi urged restraint in the interest of peace.
“Whoever is having a contention should be at ease,” he added. “
“The current Shaba devoted his time, his resources, his popularity — everything — to ensure the success of the late king, and the king truly succeeded.”
He concluded by describing Engr. Faruq Muhammad as a stabilizing force within the palace.
“He is a man behind the mask,” Prince Abdullahi said.
“By our tradition and history, the current Shaba, Engr. Faruq Muhammad, is the rightful man for the Agankyu stool.”
The Agankyu succession matter continues to draw attention across the Kakanda Kingdom, with elders and stakeholders calling for strict adherence to tradition to safeguard unity and peace.
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