I'm still at the office at 11pm. This is crazy. We're waiting for the annoucement of the next Sultan of Sokoto, which is iminent.
I gather the front runners are a man called Alhaji Alhaji, the former High Commissioner to London, Alhaji Shehu Malami, the former High Commissioner to South Africa, and Colonel Sambo Dasuki.
The controversy seems to be around Dasuki. His father was installed as Sultan by the military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, and then ousted by another dictator, Sani Abacha. The recently deceased Sultan Maccido took over in 1998.
Dasuki's son is also regarded as a "Babangida man". Lips wrinkled and heads shook at the thought.
"Ah-ah! Alhaji Alhaji would make a terrible Sultan too..." someone said. "I've heard he's very isolated. If you go to his house and don't have an appointment, he refuses to see you."
The succession of the Sultan is not a straightforward business. Its not hereditary, necessarily. After all how do you decide which son it would go to if you have four wives?
Eleven elders gather together and decide who would be best in the role. This year there are only ten because the Magajin Rafi Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Shehu was also killed in the crash. They are currently selecting from four families: Gidan Bello, Gidan Buhari, Gidan Atiku and Gidan Ahmed Rufai. Hmmm those names sound familiar...
So I'm sitting here watching -and I'm not joking here- televised musical chairs. They come up price is right style, dance about and then sit down when the music stops. I think they're playing for crate of Star. "Premium fine lager beer-o!" the man keeps shouting.
...And I've just been told the decision has been postponed. Great. Apparently the body of the Deputy Governor. He's being buried now.
Right... shine your eyes, I'm off to bed.