Iyan Zazzau drags El-Rufai to court over Emir Bamali appointment

By Idibia Gabriel, Kaduna

The Iyan Zazzau, Bashir Aminu, has dragged the Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to court for appointing Ahmed Nuhu-Bamalli as the new Emir of Zazzau, succeeding Dr. Shehu Idris who died on September 20.

In a suit filed before the Kaduna State High Court on Monday, Mr Aminu sought the court to declare that, “having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast by the kingmakers and thus selected by the said kingmakers, he has thus acquired vested right to the stool of the Emir of Zazzau from the date of his selection henceforth”.

Recall that on September 25, the Zazzau Emirate kingmakers, chaired by the Wazirin Zazzau, Ibrahim Aminu, had forwarded a list of three shortlisted princes to Governor El-Rufai for his consideration and appointment of a new Emir.

The shortlisted candidates were Bashir Aminu, Iyan Zazzau who scored 89 marks; Munir Jafaru, Yariman Zazzau who got 87 marks and; Aminu Shehu Idris, Turakin Karamin Zazzau  who got 53 marks.

The three candidates were selected from applications received by the kingmakers from 11 princes from all the four ruling houses of the emirate to succeed the late emir.

However, the governor on October 1, dissolved the list earlier submitted by the kingmakers.

According to him, the kingmakers were not fair to other contenders and insisted all aspirants should be given the chance to contest.

The Secretary to the State Government, Balarabe Lawal, had explained that the state government had directed a new round of selection process, following the cancellation of the initial process, which excluded two interested applicants.

The governor, thereafter, appointed Mr Nuhu-Bamalli as the new emir, jettisoning the recommendation of the Zazzau kingmakers.

In a copy of the suit obtained, the plaintiff joined Governor Nasir El-Rufai; Attorney-General of Kaduna State; Kaduna State Council of Chiefs; Zazzau Emirate Council; Wazirin Zazzau, Ibrahim Aminu; Fagachin Zazzau, Umaru Muhmamadu; Mohammad Abbas, Makama Karamin Zazzau; Dalhatu Kasimu Imam, Limamin Juma’an Zazzau; Mohammad Sani Aliyu, Limamin Konan Zazzau; Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli as 1^st, 2^nd ,3^rd, 4^th,5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th,9^th, and 10^th defendants in the suit.