A former Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has urged former Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II to stay out of the Emir of Zazzau debacle.
Baba-Ahmed said if Sanusi must get involved, he should advise his friend Governor Nasir El-Rufai to resolve the problem now and justly, noting that the governor is “boxing himself into a corner. His options are getting worse by the day.”
Dateline Nigeria reports that there is tension in the Zazzau emirate over the delay in announcing a successor to late Emir of Zazzau Shehu Idris who passed on two weeks ago.
The council of Zazzau kingmakers- comprising Wakilin Zazzau Ibrahim Aminu, Makaman Zazzau Muhammad Abbas, Fagacin Zazzau Umar Muhammad, Limamin Gari Dalhatu Kasim and Limamin Kona Muhammad Aliyu – had shortlisted three princes for the throne.
Those recommended by the kingmakers are Iyan Zazzau Bashar Aminu, Yariman Zazzau Munir Jaafaru and Turakin Zazzau Aminu Shehu Idris, all of them sons of former emirs. Iya and Turaki are from the Katsinawa ruling house while Yarima is from Barebari ruling house.
However, their recommendations were jettisoned by Kaduna State Government allegedly for leaving out some princes, including Magajin Garin Zazzau Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, believed to be the governor’s favourite.
Bamalli is from the Mallawa ruling house. Palace sources say some of the obstacles against him included the fact that he is neither a son nor a grandson of a former emir.
Sanusi, a very close friend of El-Rufai, is said to be one of the main supporters of Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli.
The state government alleged that the first process was tainted by allegations of bribery and therefore asked the kingmakers to go through the process again. Two more princes were added.
Dateline Nigeria learnt that the kingmakers are not happy with the bribery allegation against them, insisting that the government should come up with evidence and punish those involved or apologise to them.
It was also learnt that they may not change their recommendations because that will give credence to the allegations against them.
Ahmed Musa, a historian, said while the governor has the final say in determining the new emir, he cannot go outside the recommendations of the kingmakers unless he wants to risk litigation which will further reduce the esteem of the traditional institution.
