45 aspirants pick Kontagora kingship nomination forms

No fewer than 45 persons have so far indicated interest in the royal seat of the Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora, Daily Trust Saturday has learnt.

The late Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Said Umaru Namaskar, died at the age of 84, after spending 47 years on the throne.

At the time of filing this report, findings by Daily Trust Saturday showed that 21 of the applicants from various royal dynasties had submitted their forms ahead of the deadline fixed for yesterday.

The chairman of the election committee, Alhaji Shehu Galadima, told our correspondent that members would ensure a free, fair and credible process.

“We are prayerful, resolute and determined to make sure that the election is historic in the emirate. We have made it a task to be just, in accordance with the principles guiding the election process to make sure there is no favouritism,” he said.

A member of the Group of Elders in the Emirate, Major-General Suleiman Saidu, (retd) said no contender would receive preferential treatment from the electoral committee.

“The Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora is one of the biggest chieftains in northern Nigeria; therefore, we have to be very careful. The kingmakers should follow the principles of the election as they were told to do,” he said.

Meanwhile, the secretary of the committee, Ahmed Tijjani, has resigned his position. A source who spoke in confidence said his resignation followed the complaints filed against him at the state Ministry for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs by some aspirants, who reportedly said they had no confidence in him.