CONTINUITY AND CHANGE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF GWANDU EMIRATE: 1903-2005

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Sokoto jihad of 1804 produced the Sokoto Caliphate which, for expediency was divided into two administrative parts by 1812. The eastern part with headquarters in Sokoto under Muhammad Bello and the western part with it headquarters in Gwandu under the leadership of Sheikh Abdullahi bin Fodiyo. This made Gwandu the 2nd most important city in the political history of the Sokoto Caliphate. But with the British conquest of Sokoto Caliphate in 1903 brought in lot of changes in the administration of the former Emirates of the Caliphate. To contribute to our understanding of the changes, Gwandu Emirate under British was studied. This dissertation therefore examined continuity and change in the administration of Gwandu Emirate in the 20th century. These changes were examined in phases, with the first phase, 1902 to 1960, being under the colonial era when British conquered the Sokoto Caliphate and established their own policies, which brought changes in the administration of the area. It was a period in which the traditional rulers became the agents of British colonial government. It was during the second phase that is 1960 to 2005, that the traditional rulers faced a lot of challenges from the home politicians and the educated elite. These moments undoubtedly have impacts on the administration of Gwandu Emirate namely the Emir of Gwandu’s lost of sovereignty and of his previous economic and social powers.