Gwandu Emir Verdict: Buhari Hails Supreme Court Ruling.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari has extended heartfelt congratulations to the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, following a landmark Supreme Court ruling that affirmed his position as the rightful traditional ruler of the Gwandu Emirate in Kebbi State. In a statement issued on Thursday, Buhari described the verdict as a victory for justice, tradition, and the rule of law.
The Supreme Court’s decision, delivered on Wednesday, 4 June 2025, brought an end to a nearly two-decade-long legal battle over the Gwandu Emirate throne. The court nullified a previous ruling by the Kebbi State High Court that had reinstated Al-Mustapha Haruna Jokolo as the 19th Emir of Gwandu, citing a failure to exhaust mandatory domestic resolution mechanisms before litigation. The dispute, which began with Jokolo’s removal in 2005, had divided communities and royal families in the emirate.
“I commend the Supreme Court for its fair and decisive judgement. This victory for Emir Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar upholds the integrity of our traditional institutions, which are vital to our cultural heritage and social stability,” Buhari said. He urged the emir to be magnanimous in victory, encouraging him to unite the royal family and residents of the Gwandu Emirate for peace and progress.
The Kebbi State Government echoed Buhari’s sentiments, calling the ruling a chance for reconciliation. The Gwandu Emirate, a prominent traditional institution in northern Nigeria, plays a key role in governance, conflict resolution, and cultural preservation in Kebbi State. With the legal tussle resolved, hopes are high for renewed unity and development in the region.