By Ismail Auwal
The Grand Khalifa of the Tijaniya sufi order, Sheikh Mahy Niasse, has distanced himself from the Gov Ganduje-sponsored zikr in Kano, but endorsed the Emir Sanusi-led zikr slated for Lokoja, Kogi State.
The state government in an apparent attempt to undermine Emir Sanusi’s authority as the leader of Tijjaniya in Nigeria, has unilaterally sponsored a grand zikr session to clash with the one Sanusi is coordinating, after a failed attempt to convince the Kogi State Govt to stop him.
Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 14th Emir of Kano State and the new leader of the Tijjaniya movement in Nigeria, will preside over another grand zikr in Lokoja.
According to Daily Nigeria, “The Kano State governor hired a private jet to take Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and his son Ibrahim; Isah Bayero and some officials of the state government to Kaulaha (Kaolack) in Senegal to convince the Grand Khalifa Sheikh Mahy Niass to come to Kano for the zikr,” a source familiar with the visit said.
“But sensing that the invitation was meant to cause disaffection and division in the movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Mahy snubbed them, and refused to either accept the invitation or send a representative.
“They then went to the Chief Imam of Kaulaha Sheikh Tijjani Cisse who also rejected their invitation.”
The Paper reported that the Grand Khalifa, however, endorsed the Sanusi-led event in Lokoja and sent a 22-man delegation led by the Deputy Khalifa of Tijaniyya Sheikh Muhammadu Lamin Niyass to participate.
Sources said other Tijaniyya leaders in Nigeria, with the exception of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, are expected to also grace the Lokoja zikr.
“All the notable leaders of Tijaniya in Nigeria, who constitute the Shura, are currently in Lokoja. The caliphs of Sheikh Maihula, Sheikh Kafinga, Sheikh Salga, Sheikh Tuhami, Sheikh Abdullahi Uwais as well as Sheikh Ibrahim Maqary, Sheikh Manzo Arzai and Sheikh Shuaibu Gwammaja have all shunned the Kano event for the one holding in Lokoja,” said the source.
Worried by this backlash, the governor’s emissaries then went to Algeria to shop for some descendants of the founder Tijaniyya tariqa, Sheikh Ahmad Tijani, who are also laying claims to leadership of the movement.
On Thursday, Ganduje and emir of Kano Aminu Bayero received the factional leader of the movement, Sheikh Ali bn Arabi, from Algeria.
