The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, has addressed the ongoing Zazzau Emirate crisis, revealing that the former Wazirin Zazzau, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad-Aminu, abandoned his duties for seven months before his appointment was formally terminated by the Kaduna State Government.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by officials from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Media Trust Group in Zaria, Bamalli stated that the emirate council had sent a delegation, led by Galadiman Zazzau, Alhaji Nuhu Aliyu-Magaji, to engage the former waziri on his prolonged absence. Though he initially promised to return, he failed to resume duties, prompting the emir to notify the state government, which eventually dismissed him.
Bamalli expressed concern over media misrepresentations suggesting the former waziri was victimised, stating, “Some media portrayed it as if he was witch-hunted, but the facts are there.”
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On the controversial 2020 selection process of the Emir of Zazzau, Bamalli acknowledged irregularities but affirmed confidence in the kingmakers despite none voting for him. He said the selection occurred at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, under the observation of key government and security officials.
He recounted how the then Secretary to the State Government (SSG), now Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas, questioned the former waziri’s presentation of three candidates, Bashir Aminu, Munir Jafaru, and Aminu Shehu Idris without clear explanation of how scores were determined.
According to Bamalli, Bashir Aminu scored 89, Munir Jafaru 87, and he (Bamalli) was ranked third with 62 points largely due to being scored zero for lacking national honours or district headship. “At that time, I was serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Thailand and Myanmar, what greater national honour than that?” he said, adding that he also served as Magajin Garin Zazzau for 19 years.
Bamalli further alleged that the former waziri rejected his application, as well as that of his nephew, the Bunun Zazzau, and others, calling the process biased and unfair.
He emphasized that records exist to verify these claims and dismissed the petition filed by the deposed waziri at the Kaduna State House of Assembly after losing in both the High Court and Court of Appeal seeking to reverse his appointment as the 19th Emir of Zazzau.
(NAN)
