The late Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, who died at the age of 84, was laid to rest in his palace after a funeral prayer attended by thousands of people from all walks of life.
The news of the demise of the revered emir filtered into the ancient city of Zaria minutes after he passed-on on Sunday afternoon.
- Emir Shehu Idris of Zazzau: Exit of a gentleman peacemaker
- Thousands converge on Zaria for Emir of Zazzau’s burial
He died at the Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna at about 12 noon, where he was receiving treatment.
Of late, the emir had been in and out of hospital owing to poor health occasioned by old age. Before his death, he was billed to be flown abroad for treatment, credible palace sources told the Daily Trust yesterday.
It was learnt that the emir personally delayed the proposed overseas trip and was moved from Abuja to the 44 Army Reference Hospital.
The remains of the late emir arrived Zaria from Kaduna at about 2.53 pm to meet the already sobered atmosphere and thousands of sympathisers at the palace. The body was immediately moved inside the ancient palace in preparation for the Janaza (funeral prayer) according to Islamic rites, which took place at about 5.35 pm.
Limamin Juma’a, Sheikh Dalhatu Qasim, led the Janaza prayer where thousands of people from Zaria, Kaduna, and other parts of Nigeria and from neighbouring countries attended. The late emir was buried inside the spacious palace, which brought the number of emirs laid in the palace to three. Others were Alhaji Jafaru Dan Isiyaku and Alhaji Muhammad Aminu.
Some of the dignitaries that attended the Janaza included a delegation of the presidency that comprised the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika and presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu.
Others were Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufa’i, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, emirs of Kano and Kazaure, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and Alhaji Najib Hussaini Adamu.
Brief biography
Alhaji Idris was born to the family of Malam Idrisu Auta on 20th February, 1936. The alias of the monarch’s father was Autan Sambo and this is one of the famous songs of praises of the emir, Dan Idrisu Autan Sambo.
Alhaji Idris’s father, Malam Idrisu Autan Sambo, died when the emir was only 12 years old.
According to the emir’s brief memoir, he began his educational pursuit at the local Islamic school or Makarantar Allo in Hausa. He later enrolled in the Zaria Elementary School. He was at the elementary school between 1947 and 1950. Between 1950 and 1955, the emir had his Middle School education. He then attended Katsina Training College and this qualified him to become a teacher.
The monarch started his teaching career in 1958 at Hunkuyi, now the headquarters of Kudan Local Government Area of Kaduna state. Later in 1960, the emir was appointed the private secretary to the then emir, Alhaji Muhammad Aminu.
After serving at different capacities in the Zazzau palace and the then Native Authority, in 1973, Alhaji Idris was turbaned as Dan Madamin Zazzau and the District head of Zaria-Kewaye before he succeeded late Muhammadu Aminu as the 18th Emir of Zazzau.
Residents extol virtues of late emir
Some residents interviewed by Daily Trust extolled the virtues of the late emir, describing him as a unique character among the royalties.
Danladi Makera said the people that attended the Janaza of the late emir showed how people of the emirate and Nigeria as a whole revered him.
“No amount of money can bring these people together to attend the funeral prayer of anyone. Our leaders should learn from the many lessons that the life of the late emir offered. They should learn to be good leaders and fair to all,” he said.
Saratu Banzazzau, 26, urged the relevant authorities to appoint someone with similar qualities.
In the same vein, Fatima Shehu Yakasai said it would be hard for the emirate to get someone like late Alhaji Idris. While praying for the repose of the soul of the late emir, Saratu urged the kingmakers to be fair to all the contestants.
Moves for replacement after burial
As the late emir was laid to rest, our correspondents’ report that four titleholders from the different dynasties of the Zazzau Emirate, including nine sons of the emir that are holding different titles, are reportedly the major contenders for the throne.
The first on the list, considering his pedigree and “connections” is Alhaji Munir Jafaru, Yariman Zazzau. Alhaji Munir is the son of the late emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Jafaru Dan Isiyaku. He is considered as a frontline contender, because of his relationship with the Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna and the Presidency.
Unless something extraordinary happens, pundits predict Alhaji Munir to clinch the exalted throne and become the 19th Emir of Zazzau, especially if the Presidency decides to work in his favour in addition to his already cordial relationship with the state Governor, Nasir El-Rufa’i.
The next frontline contender is Alhaji Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, the titleholder of Magajin Garin Zazzau. His relationship with the Kaduna State top echelon, especially the governor, presidency and age may work in his favour.
Wamban Zazzau, Alhaji Abdulkareem Aminu, from the Kastsinawa dynasty can also clinch the seat if his relationship with the state governor is anything to go by. He is among the district heads that were returned to their seats when Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i’s administration reorganised that state’s traditional institutions.
Alhaji Bashir Aminu, Iyan Zazzau was seen by pundits as the heir-apparent of the throne before the coming of the present administration in the state. He is still a major contender considering the respect he commands among the title holders of the emirate, coupled with his local and international connection. Alhaji Bashar Aminu is also from the Katsinawa dynasty just as the late emir and Wanbam Zazzau, Alhaji Abdulkareem Aminu.
Emir’s sons
If authorities, especially the state governor who has the power to pick the new emir, decide to give the throne to one of the sons of the emir, getting a successor would not be difficult considering that the late emir left behind many worthy successors.
They are Turakin Zazzau, Alhaji Aminu Shehu Idris, Sarkin Dawakin Tsarkar Gida Zazzau, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Idris, Sarkin Kudun Zazzau, Barrister Sambo Shehu Idris, Uban Garin Zazzau, Alhaji Basiru Shehu Idris and Dan Isan Zazzau, Alhaji Umaru Shehu Idris.
Others are Walin Gabas Zazzau, Alhaji Mai Nasara Shehu Idris, Danmajen Zazzau, Alhaji Nasiru Shehu Idris, Danruwata Babba Zazzau, Alhaji Bello Shehu Idris and Sadaukin Zazzau, Alhaji Yusuf Shehu Idris.
Kingmakers
The kingmakers of the Zazzau emirate are five. Tradition demands that these kingmakers would screen the various contenders and recommend those with requisite qualifications to the Kaduna state governor to select one.
Therefore, after the kingmakers might have finished their job, the onus would be on Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i who would make the final decision.
The kingmakers are Makaman Zazzau, Alhaji Muhammad Abbas, Fagachin Zazzau, Alhaji Umar Muhammad, Wazirin Zazzau, Alhaji Ibrahim Aminu, Limamin Kona, Sheikh Muhammad Sani Aliyu and Limamin Gari, Sheikh Dalhatu Qasim.
Our correspondents learnt that none of the present kingmakers took part in the selection that brought the late emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris to the throne.
Dark horses
Aside from the aforementioned, any of the princes of the emirate, especially those from the known dynasties can emerge as the new emir.
Any of the sons and grandsons of the past emirs are entitle to emerge as emir, hence the unexpected can happen.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
