Mayhem in Ilorin as the Emir, Sulu Gambari sacks three kingmakers and replaces them with new appointees

THE SCENE AT THE IDI-APE/Isale oja area of Ilorin, September 25, was that of complete mayhem. The convoy of shuaib AREMU zubair, new Mogaji Are was attacked by thugs suspected to be members of Odua People's Congress, OPC, on his way home from his turbanning ceremony. Five people, including an anti-riot policeman identified as Obatayo Obatoke were killed in the attack. Zubair escaped unhurt.

A detachment of mobile and regular policemen drafted to the area to douse the tension engaged in a gun battle with the attacking thugs. Canisters of teargas were fired to ward off any form of aggression.

The family house and campaign secretariat of Mohammed Lawal, the former Kwara State governor, was torched by unidentified arsonists. Police authorities confirmed the arrest of about 10 persons in connection with the mayhem.

Business activities in the area was halted as shops, market, filling stations and most offices remained closed. Anti-riots policemen cordoned off the area and turned passersby back. Entrances to the palace of the emir were heavily guarded by police operatives.

Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, emir of Ilorin had installed Zubair as Mogaji Are to replace Busari Alabi Alasa, late father of former Governor Lawal. Lawal was said to have declined being installed by the emir. Mogaji Are is the traditional leader of Afonja descendants in Ilorin.

The Afonja descendants have been having a disagreement with their Fulani brothers over the status of their traditional ruler. They have been demanding a first class status.

The Afonja descendants in Idi-Ape quarters rejected the appointment of Zubair as the successor to Alasa who passed on about a forthnight ago. They had named and installed Saadu Alabi Suleiman.

Gambari had deposed three kingmakers-Baba Isale of Ilorin, Saka Aleshinloye; Balogun Gambari Abdukareem Laaro Buhari and Balogun Alanamu, Shuaib Adio Mahmud. The deposed kingmakers were accused of "acts of disloyalty disobedience . character assassination and insubordination against the emir."

The new kingmakers installed by the emir are Mahmood Durosinlorun Atiku as Balogun Fulani; and Usman Baba Olobi as Balogun Ajikobi. Others are Muhammed Aliyu Adebayo as Balogun Gambari and Abubakar Akanbi Jos as Balogun Alanamu.

At the installation of the new chiefs, which was done under tight security, the monarch charged them to be loyal to him and other constituted authorities in the state. He asked them to work for the enthronement of peace in their jurisdictions. He also pronounced the new Balogun Fulani as the acting most senior Balogun.

The dismissed chiefs had on July 4, petitioned President Olusegun Obasanjo, requesting an urgent intervention in a crisis between them and the emir. They had in the petition accused Gambari of withholding their monthly upkeep allowance since June 2004.

Gani Adams, national co-ordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, has described the re-constitution of the kingmakers as an act capable of plunging the town into chaos. He noted that the only way bloodshed could be avoided in Ilorin was for Gambari to respect the wishes of the Yoruba speaking people of Idi-Ape regarding the office of Mogaji Are.

The OPC leader stated that in as much as the Afonja family had chosen its preferred candidate, Saadu Alabi Sulaiman, the emir has no choice on the matter.

Gideon Markus, police public relations officer, said "for now I cannot say there is peace because they are attacking the police." He explained that the attackers came wearing OPC uniforms with bullet proof and charms. According to him, they (thugs) opened fire on the police and the police responded leading to the killing of some members of the group and a policeman.

Markus said that the police were not taking things for granted because "we have been attacked three times. We are fully prepared." He noted that the federal government spends so much in training a policeman and they cannot afford to loose any more members.

Bolaji Abdullahi, special adviser to the Kwara State governor on policy and strategy has called on the aggrieved chiefs to seek redress in court. He said that government was aware of the development and had already directed the police to maintain law and order.