…As Kaduna govt studies kingmakers’ report
Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has disclosed that he is still awaiting the recommendations of the State commissioner responsible for chieftaincy matters on the next Emir of Zazzau.
The governor in a series of tweets said the commissioner “is reviewing the 11 aspirants and the assessment of all of them by the kingmakers.”
He added: “I will consider the recommendations then and select the next Emir In Sha Allah.”
He was responding to speculations that three names had been forwarded to him by the kingmakers for him to pick one.
In another tweet, he said: “I am on my second book throwing more light on the emergence of the Emir of Zazzau Jafaru in 1937.
“I have also reviewed the secret files on his selection, & that of Emir Shehu Idris. I await the recommendations of the Commissioner responsible for chieftaincy matters.
Meanwhile, the government confirmed at the week end that it has received the report of Zazzau Emirate kingmakers, for the appointment of a new Emir of Zazzau, to succeed Emir Shehu Idris, who passed away on September 20, 2020.
The information was disclosed by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye.
The statement said the Zazzau Emirate kingmakers had submitted their report to the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, as required by law.
It explained that the submission of the kingmakers report is “a step that will trigger the next sequence of events in the chain of reporting and security vetting” of those endorsed by the kingmakers.
Adekeye quoted the Alhaji Balarabe Abbas-Lawal, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) as saying thus: “The selection process for the new Emir of Zazzau is proceeding with the careful attention befitting such a momentous decision.”
It explained that the procedure is for the kingmakers to address their recommendations to the Commissioner of Local Government Affairs, who will in turn process the document and forward to the SSG.
“Upon receipt of the correspondence from the commissioner, the SSG will avail the security agencies of the names on the shortlist for the necessary checks.
“It is the duty of the SSG to forward the recommendations and the associated security report to the Governor for his consideration.”
The statement appealed “for calm and understanding as the responsible institutions manage a selection process that was last used 45 years ago.”