NATIONAL: Buhari mourns as two princes of Zazzau emirates die hours apart

THE Zazzau Emirate was on Friday hit by double tragedy as two princes and council members, Alhaji Bashir Aminu (Iyan Zazzau) and Alhaji Abdulkadir Iya Pate (Taliban Zazzau) died hours apart.

Iyan Zazzau, who was a major contender for the emirship following the death of the immediate past traditional ruler, Alhaji (Dr.) Shehu Idris, died in Lagos.

He was said to have been ill, according to a tweet by the Zazzau Emirate.

Talban Zazzau, Iya Pate, on the other hand, died at his residence. It was gathered that Pate showed no hint of illness; he just dropped dead. He was laid to rest  in Zaria soon  after the Janaza prayer.

Naija Times learnt that Alhaji Bashir Aminu had gone to court to challenge the decision of the state government on the choice of the incumbent Emir, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali.

Bamali confirmed Aminu’s death on his verified Twitter account on Friday.

He said: “It is with the deepest regret and no pleasure that we announce the death of the most powerful traditional title holder and wealthiest prince in Northern Nigeria, Alh. Basar Aminu, Iyan Zazzau.

“Iyan Zazzau was legendary. We felt a big vacuum hearing his demise.

“A great soul, we mourn his death and pray that the Almighty will give his family and the entire people of Zazzau fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant his Janna.”

Meanwhile, President  Muhammadu Buhari had expressed sadness over the death of  the two princes.

Buhari, in a condolence message by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the death of the two prominent figures got to him as a rude shock not long after the death of former Emir Shehu Idris.

He expressed his  deepest and heartfelt sympathies to the families of the two leaders, the Zazzau Emirate Council, the government and people of Kaduna State and prayed Allah to forgive “the gentle souls of the departed and reward their good deeds with paradise.”