By Mumini AbdulKareem
As the race for who succeeds the late Etsu of Patigi, late Umar Ibrahim Chatta continues to attract applications from various contenders, kingmakers are said to be divided over the appointment of his replacement, National Pilot gathered, last night.
This development is coming just as over 30 applications have reportedly been received from contenders for the vacant throne.
It was gathered that while some of the kingmakers are disposed to the appointment of the new Emir from members of the family of Idris Gana and Ibrahim Umar Chatta, others reportedly favoured the emergence of someone from other branches of the ruling family.
Chatta, the late Emir of Patigi succeeded Gana, his only sibling from their late mother and their line of the family have ruled for over two decades now, it was gathered.
Kingmakers who are reportedly rooting for either of the first sons of the immediate past two emirs are said to have justified their decision with the argument that such decision would enable the new appointee take care of the large family left behind by late Ibrahim Umar Chatta.
But others are said to have kicked against based on the need to also give other ruling houses sense of belonging.
According to a source in Patigi who confided in our reporter, last night because he was not authorised to speak officially on the issue, the Kwara State Government is expected to make a final pronouncement after streamlining the large number of contenders.
He further said that veteran actor and lead character of the Samanja fame, Alhaji Usman Baba Pategi has been ruled out of the race on health ground as he has lost his sight presently.
He however added that Pategi’s son, one Colonel Usman is among other “young” people that have shown interest in the throne.
“Some kingmakers wanted it to go to the first surviving sons of either late Idris Gana or Ibrahim Chatta. Either way, they will be able to cater for the large number of the children (30) and five wives left behind by the immediate emir and the equally large family of his elder brother, Idris Gana whom he succeeded.
“Although the ruling class are from one root but different districts and the side of the incumbent have been ruling for decades now. When Gana died, the kingmakers then gave it to Chatta based on this same principle to take care of the large family his brother left behind.
“But other kingmakers are of the opinion that other family members should also have access to the throne after these years. The Gana/Chatta branch of the family has been fortunate to have ruled the community for this long and the other branches are of the opinion that they have not ruled before and they should not be buried alive on the issue.
“Other branches that are entitled to it include that of Engr Baba Jibril, the Chairman of the Kwara State Road Maintenance Agency (KWARMA) who is a younger brother to the father of Samanja and also contested the race with the late Chatta.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Alhaji Habib Saidu said some of the contenders that had earlier submitted applications have withdrawn it adding that the state government will make the announcement at the appropriate time following rules and guidelines laid down by the community as regard the appointment of a new emir.
