At least eight princes have thrown their hats into the ring to succeed the late Emir of Kagara in Niger State, Salihu Tanko, who died on March 2.
DAILY NIGERIAN understands that the princes in Kagara emirate intensified lobby as they await the state governor, Abubakar Sani-Bello, to appoint a successor to the throne.
Sources revealed that as the state governor is preparing to appoint the new emir, the contenders, including the village head, Ahmed Garba, who had the lowest rank among the contenders, had been reportedly lobbying the kingmakers and top government officials.
“All the contenders have been lobbying the kingmakers and top government officials seeking to woo them to their side,” said a source, who preferred not to be named.
The source disclosed that on Wednesday, March 10, the state government gave permission to interested candidates to write to the king makers to express their interests, adding that the state government closed the window for the application on Monday midnight.
The source gave the names of the contenders as Garba Bako, the District Head of Tegina; Aliyu Muhammad, District Head of Kusherki; Idris Aliyu, District Head of Kwangoma and; Muhammad Salihu Tanko, the son of the late Emir and District Head of Kagara town.
Others, according to the source, are Muhammad Tukur, District Head of Uregi; Tanimu Katunga, District Head of Katunga; Ahmed Garba, the Village Head of Yakila; Umar Salihu Marafa and Bawa Tanko Gunna.
One of the major contenders, according to the source, is District head of Kusherki, who was the immediate-past secretary of FCT Judicial Service commission.
Other prominent contenders are the District Head of Kwangoma; the District Head of Kagara and the Village Head of Yakila, who was recently appointed as the acting chairman, Niger State Board of Internal Revenue.
“It is unclear when exactly the king makers will seat to cast votes on the contestants as the state government is yet to give the kingmakers the go ahead to do so,” the source said.
