Zazzau Emirate: El-rufai, Kingmakers Clash as Late Emir’s Children Withdraw for Elder Brother
Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-rufai may have failed to draw the kingmakers of the Zazzau Emirate to his side, even after he has asked them to re-nominate a new set of prospective emir, having nullified their earlier recommendation.
Nigerian Sketch has gathered from emirate sources that the kingmakers refused to bow to entreaties from the governor and his friend, the former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to include the name of a candidate favoured by both.
“They refused”, our source said, adding that “They only included the nomination of two candidates earlier omitted to remedy the lacuna that the governor cited as justification for annulling their earlier recommendation.”
He said the kingmakers were taken to the Government House in Kaduna on Wednesday but they stood their ground, insisting on their earlier recommendation, explaining that they actually went into seclusion and returned with the same verdict as before. They argued studiously that the earlier process was credible enough, and they have no option than to re-affirm it.
They returned to Zaria later same day.
Of course, there are about 13 contenders for the Zazzau, throne, but three have been officially forwarded to the governor by the kingmakers according to tradition.
Another source has disclosed to Nigerian Sketch that Uban Garin Zazzau, Bashir Shehu Idris, has written to the governor to inform him of his resolve and that of his other siblings who are the heirs of the late emir to be excluded from contention as they are ‘solidly behind’ their elder brother, the Turakin Zazzau, Aminu Shehu Idris.
The other two brothers who are withdrawing from the contest to boost their brother’s chance are the Sarkin Kudun Zazzau, and Sadaukin Zazzau.
It has obviously been unexpectedly tedious for Governor El-rufai, as a process that was supposed to be completed in three days was already extending to two weeks.
Reports have it that the governor has deployed policemen and soldiers parts of Zaria, perhaps in anticipation of breach of law and order.
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