Some irate youths have attacked Emir of Zazzau (Zaria), Dr. Shehu Idris, during ceremonies to inaugurate Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai as the new Governor of Kaduna State.

The emir was alleged to have supported Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the then opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), which eventually won the April 11 governorship election.

News Express reports that the youths stoned the emir and his convoy at the venue of the inauguration in Kaduna, chanting “Sabon Gwamna, Sabon Sarki” (meaning “New Governor”, “New Emir”) during the attack. It took the intervention of police personnel to disperse the attackers with tear gas.

Dr Shehu Idris was whisked away by security operatives after the swearing-in to avoid physical another attack on his convoy.

It was gathered that, the emir was invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony by the immediate past administration under former governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, who was the organiser of the event.

One of the youths at the event, Haruna Gambo, said: “The Emir of Zazzau is a PDP member and not our traditional ruler. The emir is partisan; we expect him to be father to all in Kaduna State but he chooses to support PDP openly against our candidate

“So, why is he coming to attend this inauguration? We believe the emir will learn his lesson from today to be a father to all, irrespective of one’s party affiliation. We thank Allah that nobody harmed him but the mood of the youths will tell him that he is not with his subjects.”

The Chief Justice of the State, Justice Tanimu Zailani was also rescued by Senator-elect Shehu Sani from the mob and taken to his residence in Rigachikun.

Sani, who spoke to our correspondent on phone, said the attack on the emir affected Justice Zailani, “hence, we have to quickly whisk him away. But some people were wounded by the stone pelted on the emir.”

•Photo shows Emir of Zaeia, Shehu Idris.

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