Zaria residents go spiritual over new emir
The decision of Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’i to reverse the earlier submission of the Zazzau Emirate kingmakers has succeeded in silencing many pundits as to who becomes the next emir.
Residents of the ancient city have resorted to prayers to Allah to intervene in the selection of a competent person that would lead the emirate.
Daily Trust Saturday reports at different Juma’at mosques yesterday, imams and their congregations prayed for the emergence of best candidate as kingmakers commenced new selection process.
One of the residents who prayed at the Tudun Jukun Juma’at mosque, Yunus Aliyu, said the delay in selecting the new emir is becoming a blessing to the residents, emirate and the entire city.
He added: “People have now come back to their senses. Many of us have realised that the delay has provided us the opportunity of returning to Allah to select the best candidate for us. It is the injunction of our religion not to do things in haste. All the camps have now surrendered everything to Allah. So, honestly, for me, anyone that emerges at the end of the day would be the choice of Allah.”
Aside the prayers, there are many conspiracy theories spreading across the ancient city like wild fire. One of the theories postulates that Governor El-Rufa’i is planning to create another emirate out of the present one, similarly to what Governor Abdullahi Ganduje did in Kano.
Daily Trust Saturday observed that the Tukur-Tukur, Zaria residence of the late Emir Shehu Idris was undergoing renovation.
Our correspondent observed that new fence has been erected to cover the otherwise open “face” of the house. There was also noticeable increased movement of people in and out of the house where a water tanker was stationed at the entrance of the house discharging water at about 5:30pm.
Many residents of the city viewed the relocation of the personal belongings and family of the late emir to the Tukur-Tukur residence as testimony to the simple life Alhaji Shehu Idris lived.
A resident, Aliyu Muhammad, said: “One would have thought that the man has left many big mansions not only in Zaria, but in other big cities of the country for his family to use after his demise. It is really amazing to see the family using the Tukur-Tukur residence even if it is on temporary basis. Indeed, the late Emir has not taken this world as a place to flaunt. It really shows his fear of Allah and dedication to His service.”
Similarly, an aide to one of the contenders of the throne confided on Daily Trust Saturday that “no one can tell what exactly is happening on the screening except the kingmakers and the state governor with few officials.”
The source said men of the Department of the State Service (DSS) have visited his boss’s house to screen him.
Among the 11 contenders that are being considered are Wamban Zazzau, Alhaji Abdulkarim Aminu, Iyan Zazzau, Alhaji Bashar Aminu, Dangaladiman Zazzau, Alhaji Aminu Idris and Turakin Zazzau, Alhaji Aminu Shehu Idris.
Others are Ciroman Zazzau, Alhaji Sa’idu Mailafiya, Barden Kudun Zazzau, Alhaji Hassan Tijjani, Magajin Garin Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, Yariman Zazzau, Alhaji Munir Jafaru and Dangaladiman Waziri, Alhaji Shittu Dikko, among others.
Daily Trust Saturday reports that everywhere was calm in Zaria with residents going about their normal businesses.