By Seun ‘Debo
Somewhere, still in the custody of the Directorate of State Service, DSS, Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan will receive the news of his father’s passing.
Having been denied access to the man who died aged 93, a flurry of thoughts would run through his mind, most likely, sending chills down his spine.
But even further to contemplate, is if he would be allowed access to bury his father. If he would be allowed by the Federal Government of Nigeria to pay his last respect to his father who has helped him climb the ladder of life so quickly?
That’s a question that only the FG can answer.
To put things in perspective, Dasuki has less than six hours to get the nod to honour his father.
By Muslim rites, his father, Ibrahim Dasuki, a former Sultan of Sokoto who was deposed by late military dictator, General Sani Abacha will be buried on Tuesday, 15 November.
Having seen his father maybe once or twice since last December this will be his last chance to honour his father.
Let’s flash back a little here.
Since then, his romance with the DSS and even the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) began.
At 61 and still in constant custody of security operatives he will be ‘dying’ to have one last moment with his father again.
The question is, should the FG allow him this request? Many will argue for, while others against but the truth is that no party will win the argument outright.
For me, Dasuki has to be responsible for his own action. The only reason he cannot bury his father is because he blew up that chance by putting Nigeria into jeopardy and mortgaging this gasping country’s future.
But the human side of me wants him to grieve with his family, give his father the last respect he deserves as a prince, a former military officer but most importantly as a son.
One can argue that his father’s dying wish was to see his son just before he passed on while Sambo Dasuki would have also liked to be by his bed when he passed on.
Like Luther Vandross’s hit song, he would have loved to “Dance With My Father” again.
Here’s a brief history of Ibrahim Dasuki
Dasuki was the 18th Sultan of Sokoto. Prior to becoming Sultan, he held the traditional title of Baraden Sokoto.
He was the first Sultan from the Buhari line of the house of Dan Fodio and he was a close associate of Ahmadu Bello, a friend of Abubakar Gumi and was influential in the founding of Jama’atu Nasril Islam.
After the death of Abubakar Siddique, the 17th Sultan of Sokoto on November 1, 1988, Dasuki was among the leading contenders to become the new Sultan.
Some of his opponents included Shehu Malami and Muhammadu Maccido, who later succeeded him.
Maccido was the son of Abubakar Siddique and he was popular among the populace in Sokoto.
But Dasuki was close to the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida and on December 6, 1988, he was announced as the new Sultan to the dismay of some in Sokoto.
The announcement led to five days of rioting which resulted to the death of 10 people.
