The Emir of Borgu, Haliru Dantoro has revealed why he made the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu ‘The Jagaban’.
He stated this in an interview he granted a national newspaper recently.
According to the Emir, ‘The Jagaban’ which means ‘Leader of Warriors’ was bestowed on Tinubu because he was always saying the truth when it mattered most.
“I knew Bola Ahmed Tinubu when we were at the National Assembly as senators. He belonged to a different party (SDP) while I was in NRC. But we had a common interest when it came to telling the truth. We said it as it was then. He knew my vision even when the June 12 issue was in the front burner. I could see the injustices and I stood by fairness because I detest injustice.
“You can see that I identified myself with the aspiration of Nigerians. At one time he said he wanted me to go and see Late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola but I told him I never had any need from Abiola. If I went there, that meant I was going there for money. But what we were doing was right and posterity will judge us. So we had a lot of things in common and we had been friends since then.
“He saw me as being straightforward, honest and sincere in all my dealings with him. Not for any material gain. In fact, when I began my legal sojourn in the Emirship tussle he also supported me in terms of advice because it was a tough battle for me. It was tough taking on the government and we had to employ the services of a senior advocate of Nigeria in the person of Wole Olanipekun.
“When God made me the Emir I said this man was there when I was in dire need of help so why can’t I use my position to make him what I feel will help him in future politically. That was why I honoured him with the title of ‘Jagaban.’ Jagaban means ‘Leader of Warriors.”
Jagaban is a title, which has gained prominence, particularly among different followers and political allies. But not many are aware that the chieftaincy title was bestowed on the former senator by His Royal Highness, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro III, the Emir of Borgu (New Bussa, Niger State).
The Borgu Emirate is a Nigerian traditional state with its capital in New Bussa. It was formed in 1954 when the Bussa and Kaiama emirates were merged.