…KWARMA boss, 2 others shortlisted for vacant stool
Council to hold consultative meeting, today
By Mumini AbdulKareem
The race for who succeeds the late Etsu Patigi, Umar Ibrahim Chatta, took a new dimension last night as the kingmakers are presently divided over alleged plan to appoint the son of the late monarch.
Five of the six-man powerbrokers in Patigi were said to have rejected the move to install the son of the late Etsu, Umar Bologi as successor to his late father.
It was gathered that the son of the deceased, who is a Customs officer, is banking on the support of one of the kingmakers sympathetic to his cause.
The issue has reportedly split the kingmakers and other stakeholders among the ruling houses in the council.
Meanwhile, a consultative meeting between the contending forces has been scheduled for Monday (today), at Patigi by the council.
Expected to attend the meeting scheduled for 10am at the local government secretariat are; three representatives each from the three ruling houses, representatives of the kingmakers and other traditional rulers.
There are three ruling houses in Patigi, which include the Etsu Idris Gana (first), Etsu Muazu Yissa and Etsu Usman Kpatako.
Late Ibrahim Chatta, his brother, Idris Gana and their father, Umar Bologi who have ruled in succession all belong to the Etsu Idris Gana ruling house.
According to top sources in Patigi, who confided in our reporter over the issue because they were not officially permitted to speak on the matter, the other kingmakers vehemently rejected the proposal of their colleague, which has the backing of some top traditional rulers in the state.
According to one of the sources, other ruling houses in the council have raised serious objection to the move.
“The lone supporter of the late monarch’s son among the kingmakers was of the view that his son should succeed him so as to be able to take care of the huge family left behind by the departed monarch.
“But the argument did not fly with others who argued that with the way the trend is going, other ruling houses may find it difficult to ascend the throne in the future” one of the sources submitted.
Another source who also spoke on the issue said, “The last three kings, who have ascended the throne are from the side of the late Etsu and they have spent over 80 years on the stool cumulatively. Their father, Bologi lasted on the throne for about 35years and was succeeded by one of his sons, Idris Gana. Umar Chatta Ibrahim succeeded Gana, his only sibling from the same mother and he lasted about 20years on the throne.
“So if this trend continues, not only that it will deny others who are also entitled to the stool, it may snowball into a serious dispute. As it is now, the other clans are afraid not to be alienated from the stool forever”
Meanwhile, three applicants have been shortlisted by the kingmakers among the over 30 applications received.
Those shortlisted, it was learnt last night include, Chairman of the Kwara State Road Maintenance Agency (KWARMA), Engr Usman Baba Jibril, who sources described as one of the favourites, former Treasurer of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB) Abdullahi Mohammed Muazu (Babako) and Alhaji Muhammadu Lawal Majiya, a former education officer in Sokoto and Minna, Niger State.
According to a source, the Kwara State Government is expected to make a final pronouncement from the three selected contestants by the kingmakers.
