The leadership tussle between the Sarkin Sasa, Haruna Maiyasin and Sarkin Hausawa of Ibadanland, Alhaji Ali Zungeru, on Saturday, took another dimension as Council of Arewa Traditional Rulers and Chiefs in the 17 southern states said Zungeru lacks moral and constitutional rights to suspend the former from office.
The PUNCH reports that Maiyasin was allegedly suspended at the end of Hausawa community meeting headed by Zungeru on Wednesday over insubordination, disrespect for the referred stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland and unlawful conferment of chieftaincy titles on the people without recourse to Sarki Hausawa of Ibadanland.
The council who spoke through Sarkin Samari of Shuwa/Arab of Nigeria, Ahmed Muhammed; Uban Gari of Sasa, Isa Nalado and Secretary, Sarkin Sasa palace, Adam Haruna, at Sarkin Sasa’s residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, argued that Maiyasin was appointed by the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Oloyede Asanike, in 1983 and was appointed as Chairman, Council of Arewa Traditional Rulers and Chiefs in 1994 by the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.
In his own, the Sarkin Samari of Shuwa/Arab of Nigeria, Muhammed said, “The Federal Government led by late Gen Sani Abacha appointed Maiyasin as Chairman of the Council. All the Hausawa from the affected states endorsed the decision of the government. He was given certificate as confirmation. So, you cannot remove the person that you did not appoint.
“We are committed to the leadership of the Olubadan of Ibadanland as well as other authorities therein.”
Corroborating his view, Uban Gari of Sasa, Nalado said, “By virtue of this, Maiyasin is only answerable to the exalted leadership and institution of Olubadan of Ibadanland to which he is loyal and subject to. The Sarkin Hausawa of Ibadanland, Zungeu has no powers to remove Maiyasin because he was not installed by him.
“We are hereby appealing to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Balogun to please intervene by calling Zungeu and his co-travellers to order in order not to let the disgruntled elements to cause mayhem in Ibadan in particular and the state in general. And to also avoid breakdown of law and order as an uneasy tension is brewing among the Hausa community in the state.”
