Fact Check: Did Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero’s Son, Join Oba of Benin in Crossover Church Service?
Claim: Nigerian Media – both online and TV – platforms are awash with reports that “Prince Isah Ado-Bayero,” the son of Kano Emir, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero has joined the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewure II, on a crossover night church service into the year 2024.
Full Text: the claim has since been trending, with major Nigerian media platforms sharing the same headline and lead.
Most reports linked the source of the claim to a statement by the monarch’s Chief Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, said the Holy Aruosa Cathedral had an unusual guest, Prince Isah Ado-Bayero, the son of Kano Emir, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero.
He said the presence of the Muslim, who observes the annual Hijrah Calendar, amazed worshippers in Holy Aruosa church also known as the Edo national church at the end of the Igue Festival.
The narrative has been carried by many reputable platforms, Legit, Thisday, Blueprint, Independent and Daily Sun, among many others.
Verification: To verify this narrative, PRNigeria contacted palace sources who did not confirm that the current Emir, His Royal Highness Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, has a son named “Isa.”
PRNigeria then analysed images from the crossover Church Service report with the Oba of Benin but could not pinpoint who said Prince Isah Ado-Bayero could be.
Then, PRNigeria obtained a TV report on the crossover service from ITV’s YouTube channel.
In the video, PRNigeria was able to identify that the person being referred to as the son of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero is Prince Isa Sunusi Bayero.
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Popularly known as Isa Pilot, PRNigeria can authoritatively report that Mr Bayero is the uncle of the deposed 14th emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II and son of the late Emir of Kano, Sir Muhammadu Sanusi who is the grandfather to Emir Sanusi II.
Until his sudden removal, Pilot Isa was a private personal secretary to the late emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero for many years. Daily Trust gathered he retained the position even after the Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, his cousin was crowned in 2014.
PRNigeria reports that in June 2017, Pilot was allegedly sacked by the then Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, for allegedly playing the role of a mole in the emirate. He was alleged to have masterminded most of the negative stories that were leaked information from the palace.
According to the source, the Palace Secretary leaked all the financial dealings of the emirate to an online publisher, adding that his actions fanned the recent crisis between Emir Sanusi, the Kano State government and the State House of Assembly.
However, pilot refuted claims that he was sacked, stating that he voluntarily resigned because he was not happy that the then Emir ate the humble pie by apologising over an issue he had vowed not to apologise on.
“People should first understand that I was not part of the emirate staff. I also refused to accept a salary from the emirate council. As a pilot, I flew five former Nigerian presidents. I had my businesses long before this emir was appointed.
“It should also be noted that during Soludo as CBN governor, my company was engaged based on merit for currency movement by air. “When Sanusi became emir, I stood by him despite mounting opposition against him because he is my nephew. After all, we are all part of the Bayero family,” he said.
The timeline of Mr Pilot’s activities, reviewed by PRNigeria‘s team, reveals that he is a staunch traditionalist and avid believer in cultural engagements and traditional activities.
Conclusion: PRNigeria can authoritatively confirm that “Prince Isa Bayero” is not the son of the current Emir of Kano as widely reported but a son of the late Emir of Kano, sir Muhammadu Sanusi and uncle to the deposed 14th Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II.
PRNigeria, therefore, concludes that the claim that the son of Kano Emir, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, has joined the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewure II, on a crossover night church service into the year 2024 is misleading.
By PRNigeria
