From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
Following a power struggle that has left the Arewa community in Ibadan divided, an intense feud has erupted between the Sarkin Hausawa of Ibadanland, Alhaji Ali Dahiru Zungeru, and Alhaji Haruna Maiyasin-Katsina, the Sarkin Hausawa of Sasa.
The dispute, which originated from alleged insubordination and disrespect towards the Olubadan of Ibadanland levelled by Zungeru against Maiyasin-Katsina, has ignited tensions and attracted the attention of the Council of Arewa Traditional Rulers and Chiefs across the 17 Southern States in Nigeria.
In a swift response to the allegations, Maiyasin-Katsina said: “The developing story orchestrated by some disgruntled persons on baseless allegations of disrespecting the exalted royalty and leadership of the Olubadan as claimed in the devious imaginations of the purveyors of such insinuations, as reported in some newspapers is most unfortunate as it doesn’t represent the person and character of Sarkin Sasa, Alhaji Haruna Maiyasin Katsina, CON.
“I, however, commit to the leadership and institutions of the Olubadan of Ibadaland, as well as other authorities herein.”
The conflict escalated when Zungeru purportedly suspended Sarkin Sasa during a community meeting held at his Sabo palace in Mokola, Ibadan, some days ago.
His accusing Maiyasin-Katsina of unauthorised conferral of chieftaincy titles without consulting him revealed that Zungeru aimed to assert his authority as the Sarkin Hausawa of Ibadanland.
However, the Council of Arewa Traditional Rulers and Chiefs said that Zungeru lacked the power to suspend Maiyasin-Katsina as he did not install him as Sarkin Sasa.
Coming out to defend their Maiyasin Katsina, the Arewa traditional rulers and chiefs emphasised that Maiyasin-Katsina was installed as Sarkin Sasa by the palace of Olubadan back in 1983, during the reign of Oba Yesufu Oloyede Asanike.
They stressed that it is solely the Olubadan’s prerogative to suspend Sarkin Sasa, adding that Maiyasin-Katsina has dutifully respected the Olubadan and the throne.
At a joint press conference held at the palace of Sarkin Sasa on Ibadan yesterday, notable figures including Uban Gari of Sasa, Alhaji Isa Nalado; Sarkin Samari of Shuwa/Arab of Nigeria, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammed; and Palace Secretary of Sarkin Sasa, Alhaji Adam Haruna Yaro, confirmed that Maiyasin-Katsina was designated as Sardaunan Yamma and Chairman of the Council of Arewa Traditional Rulers and Chiefs in the 17 Southern States of Nigeria in 1994.
They added that the appointment, endorsed by 56 Arewa traditional rulers, holds precedence over the Sarkin Hausawa of Ibadanland, as officially gazetted by the Federal Government.
The Arewa traditional rulers and chiefs appealed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, to intervene in the ongoing feud and rein in Zungeru before the situation worsens and engulfs the Arewa community in needless crisis.
Countering the claims made against him, Zungeru explained that Maiyasin Katsina’s appointment as a District Head was intended to maintain peace and justice within the Hausa community in Sasa during the reign of his predecessor, Alhaji Shuaibu Mammon Dikko (III).
Refuting the precedence of anyone other than the Sarkin Hausawa of Ibadanland as the Head of the Arewa community, Zungeru expressed concern that Maiyasin-Katsina’s actions could disrupt the existing peace in the state and reiterated that the suspension would remain in effect until the decision of the entire Arewa Community Council in Ibadan.
As this saga unfolds, the Arewa community anxiously awaits a resolution to the battle of supremacy in Ibadan, which threatens to ignite further unrest and divisions among its members.
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