JUST IN: Sokoto kingmaker, Danbaba dies

The Head of Sokoto Kingmakers, Magajin Garin Sokoto, Alh. Hassan Danbaba, is dead.

The influential kingmaker, who was the grandson of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, reportedly slumped in his hotel in Kaduna around 11.30 am.

It was gathered that he died on his way to a hospital.

A source said, “Magajin came to Kaduna on Thursday to condole with a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau on the death of his brother.

“As usual of him, he lodged in his hotel, Stonehedge in Kaduna metropolis.

“Both Gusau and Magajin had prepared to make a joint return trip from Kaduna to Abuja on Saturday. After having his bath at 11 am, he dressed up to go and join Gen. Gusau in his house.

“While about to leave, he slumped. His aides rallied around him and rushed him to a hospital. But on the way, he gave up the ghost.”

Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai has ordered the evacuation of Danbaba’s remains to the Government House in Kaduna for airlifting to Sokoto for burial.

” The governor was at his best in coordinating the evacuation of Magajin’s corpse to the Government House in Kaduna ahead of transfer to Sokoto.

” By virtue of his position as the head of the kingmakers of Sokoto Caliphate, there is a reserved cemetery, Hubbaren Shehu, where royal leaders are usually buried in Sokoto, “the source added.

Until his death, he was one of those behind the Rice Revolution of President Muhammadu Buhari being championed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He played a key role in the last Rice Pyramid fair in Abuja by the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria(RIFAN).

Magajin Garin Sokoto was part of the eminent Nigerians who converged on Lagos last weekend to find solutions to the challenges confronting the country ahead of the 2023 elections.

A cosmopolitan Nigerian, the late Magajin Garin Sokoto was a Director of THISDAY newspapers until he died.