The leadership tussle within the Hausa community of Ibadan took a new turn on Saturday as the Council of Arewa Traditional Rulers and Chiefs in the 17 southern states rejected the suspension of Sarkin Sasa, Haruna Maiyasin, by Sarkin Hausawa of Ibadanland, Alhaji Ali Zungeru.
The council stated that Zungeru lacks the moral and constitutional authority to suspend Maiyasin, who was appointed by the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Oloyede Asanike, in 1983 and made Chairman of the Council in 1994 by late Head of State Gen. Sani Abacha.
Speaking on behalf of the council, Sarkin Samari of Shuwa/Arab of Nigeria Ahmed Muhammed said “The federal government led by Gen. Abacha appointed Maiyasin as chairman. All the Hausa from the affected states endorsed this. You cannot remove someone you did not appoint.”
Uban Gari of Sasa Isa Nalado added, “Maiyasin is only answerable to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, to whom he is loyal. Sarkin Hausawa has no power to remove him.”
The council appealed to the current Olubadan, Oba Balogun, to intervene and call Zungeru and his supporters to order before the dispute causes unrest within the Hausa community and Ibadan at large.
