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Northern Islamic leaders and emirs, under the aegis of the Jama'atu Nasril Islam, who met in Kaduna on Monday, also strategised on shoring up support for the proposed Government of National Unity.
Sources at the meeting said it was meant to explore an "amicable resolution" of the festering crisis among leading Northern politicians over the April 21 presidential poll in which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Yar’ Adua, emerged winner and has since been sworn in as president.
Insiders said the meeting had as its central agenda the working out of ways and means of persuading the Action Congress (AC) presidential candidate and former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) counterpart, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), both Northerners, to drop their petitions at the election tribunal and embrace the proposed Government of National Unity.
It was learnt that the traditional rulers were concerned that notwithstanding the return of political power to the North, peace had continued to elude the region because of the outcome of the last presidential election.
Said the source: "This is worrisome to the emirs. So, they are here to find a lasting peace that will ensure political stability in the region in particular and the country at large."
He disclosed that they wanted a situation where Buhari and Atiku would drop whatever grievances they had against the April elections and rally round their kinsman Yar'Adua who had extended the olive branch to them via the proposed Government of National Unity.
The source said further: "We have not forgotten the harrowing experience of the last administration of ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo and we don't want a repeat of it.
"Three weeks ago, Northern Traditional Ruler met with President Yar'Adua and during that meeting, they promised to reconcile Yar'Adua, Buhari and Atiku to ensure peace, political stability in the Northern states," he said.
In his address to the Muslim leaders, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar (III), spoke of the need for all Northern political leaders to come together. According to him, "we cannot achieve any significant progress until we come together under one umbrella, to act together and work together."
The Sultan urged the Muslim community to remain vigilant and pursue activities and programme which will safeguard the collective integrity and welfare of the people of the region.
He enjoined Northern lawmakers not to domesticate any treaty or convention until they thoroughly studied their implication to cherish their culture and beliefs.
"In passing the bills and making laws, including the CEDAW (Convention on Eli-mination of Discrimination Against Women) currently before the National Assembly, the sensibility of our religion and culture must be respected at all times," said Sultan Abubakar.
At the meeting were the Sultan, all the emirs, JNI members, prominent Islamic scholars, Imams in the North.
Other prominent Northern leaders at the meeting included Governor Namadi Sambo of Kaduna State, Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Mukhtar Ahmad Anka, Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Colonel Hamid Ibrahim Ali (rtd), Supreme Council of Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN)'s Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba Ahmed. The emirs in attendance were Alhaji Ado Bayero, Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Nuhu Sanusi, Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Shehu Idris, Emir of Zazzau.
Alhaji Ahmad Hassan (II), Emir of Nasarawa, Alhaji Issah Mustapha Agwai, Emir of Lafia.
Others were the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Mustapha El-Kanemi, Emir of Jama'ah, Alhaji Muhaamadu Issah Muhammadu, Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji Zubairu Jibrin, Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, and the Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammadu Ahmad.
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