Zazzau: Kingmakers in seclusion to choose Shehu’s successor

KINGMAKERS of Zazzau emirate have gone into seclusion to pick one of the four top contenders who will eventually succeed the late emir of Zazzau, Shehu Idris.

This is happening three days after the demise of the emir who reigned for 45 years

Naija Times gathered that it is Zazzau’s custom that anytime the stool is vacant three councillors, including two Imams, have the authority to pick a new emir.

The  late  Shehu Idris was the 18^th king of  Zazzau, his successor will be automatically the 19^th emir of the town

According to a source from the palace, kingmakers in Zazzau always swing into action immediately after the funeral rites to choose a suitable candidate for the vacant throne. He said the kingmakers would go into cloistered seclusion to choose a new king.

He said under the Emirate statue, the following kingmakers are saddled with that responsibility and they are the Wazirin Zazzau, Ibrahim Aminu, Fagacin Zazzau, Umar Mohammed, Makama Karami, Mahmoud Abbas, Chief Imam of Zazzau, Dalhat Kassim and Chief Imam of Kona, Sani Aliyu.

‘They usually find a venue suitable for our work and usually is in the palace except otherwise and ask the ruling houses to send their nominees”.

According to the palace source, the kingmakers have so far received several nominations and each of the nominee is qualified for the stool.

However, the kingmakers look for certain criteria like a person who is learned in both western education and Islam. He has to be acceptable to the people and well-versed in the history, tradition and custom of the Emirate.

He confirmed that today (Wednesday), they will round up by picking and sending their recommendations to the state government.

According to him, the state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has the final say and will eventually announce the new emir.

Naija Times  learnt that the four contenders in the race are: Magajin Garin Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali from Mallawa ruling house, Yariman Zazzau, Munir Jaafar from Bare Bari ruling house, Iyan Zazzau, Muhammad Bashir Aminu from Katsina ruling house and the eldest son of the late Emir Turaki Zazazau, Alhaji Aminu Shehu Idris (Son of the late emir)