TheCable

A faction of the Tijaniyya Islamic sect in Nigeria says it has not appointed Muhammadu Sanusi II, former emir of Kano, as its leader in Nigeria.

At the weekend, there were reports that the two factions of the sect confirmed the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as their leader during the Maulud celebration of Ibrahim Niass, a prominent sheikh.

Sanusi, who had attended the Maulud celebration in Sokoto on Friday, was welcomed to the state by a large crowd of supporters.

Muhammadu Sanusi I, the former emir’s grandfather, was the first leader of the sect in the country.

However, the sect broke into two factions after his death — there is the faction led by Isiyaka Rabiu, and another led by Dahiru Bauchi.

Speaking with reporters on Monday in Sokoto, Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi, son of Dahiru Bauchi, said the faction only commented on Sanusi following in his grandfather’s footsteps.

“The Dhariqa Tijaniyya is based on knowledge and scholarship rooted in extant adherence to stipulated guidelines and obedience to Allah and those in charge of Dhariqa affairs,” NAN quoted Bauchi as saying.

“The junior brother of the grand leader, sheikh Makey Nyass, was quoted out of context in the report. What he said was that Sanusi has been following the footsteps of his late grandfather, Muhammadu Sanusi I.

“Nyass only tried to compare the life experiences of Sanusi and that of his late grandfather after being deposed from the throne.”

On his part, Mahi Nyass, the grand world leader, said there is a process that must be followed to appoint a caliph (leader).

“Such decisions have to be discussed at different fora and an agreement must be reached before the announcement,” he said.

“After nomination, a letter of credence endorsed by group of scholars, duly signed and stamped by the grand world leader (Caliphatul Arrm) must be presented to the person appointed.”