The death of Emir of Zazzau Alhaji Dr Shehu Idris on 20 September, 2020 has thrown hundreds of thousands of people across the length and breadth of this country into mourning. As it also provided an opportunity for princes in the four ruling houses of Zazzau Emirate to jostle for the vacant throne.
In accordance with the law, the Zazzau Emirate Council under the leadership of Wazirin Zazzau Ibrahim Muhammad Aminu, as the chief custodian of the tradition of the Zazzau Emirate in the absence of the emir, wrote to the Kaduna State Government notifying the governor of the demise of emir and the vacant position created by his death.
On the third day of fiddau prayers, the governor, while eulogizing the late monarch, said ever since the emir died, he could not sleep in the night until he took drugs, saying that the late emir used his wisdom, knowledge and experience in helping his administration.
In the selection of the emir, he openly demonstrated his neutrality as he prayed for the king makers to get a worthy heir to the throne that would emulate the good leadership qualities of the late emir.
Having been empowered by the law to select a new emir upon the death or deposition of an emir, the king makers have every right to select any person whom they deem fit and worthy of the throne without prejudice to any person or group.
The law said that and I quote, “Upon the death, resignation, or deposition of any chief or any head of chiefs other than a chief of a kind referred to in section 4, the Governor may appoint as the successor of such chief or head of chiefs any person selected on that behalf by those entitled by customary law and practice to select in accordance with customary law and practice.”
Any ulterior motive from any individual or group in this will set unprecedented hostility in a peaceful and all-accommodating emirate.
The ill decision of the government to undermine the most peaceful selection process by appointing Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli and other than the three nominees forwarded by the kingmakers, has further divided the once united ruling houses, which they have enjoyed for decades as a result of intermarriage between them that produced hundreds of children.
In 2020, Wazirin Zazzau Ibrahim Muhammad Aminu, chairman of the Zazzau Kingmakers committee was suspended by Kaduna state government for dishonouring an informal invitation and was subsequently taken to court for allegedly violating the government’s rule.
While still in court, he was removed and replaced by Khadi Muhammad Inuwa Aminu in 2021.
In what appeared like an unending tussle, last week, the removed Waziri notified both the Kaduna State Government and Zazzau Emirate on the decision to take legal action against his wrongful removal and wrongful appointment of Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli as the Emir of Zazzau.
As we await to see how the court events would unfold in what it seems like there are numerous vested interests in the tussle but hiding in the shadow of Waziri, time would definitely expose and unmask their faces.
