Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has appointed Alhaji Mohammed Barau Kontagora as the seventh Emir of Kontagora.
Emmanuel Umar, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, announced the development.
Umar spoke during a press conference at the Government House in Minna on Wednesday.
The New Agency of Nigeria reports that the appointment followed the demise of 84-year-old Sa’idu Namaska in September.
Umar explained that the selection of the seventh Emir (Sarkin Sudan) of Kontagora was held on September 19, 2021 in Kontagora.
He said selection was done by the kingmakers of the Kontagora Emirate in line with the Customary Laws and Practice of the Kontagora Emirate.
The Commissioner said after the selection, however, aggrieved contestants petitioned the governor, alleging some irregularities in the selection process.
He said in response to the petition, Bello, acting on section 3(2) and 7 of the Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Law of Niger State 1989 (as revised), held meetings with the kingmakers and also consulted the State Council of Chiefs.
Umar said the kingmakers, during their interaction with the governor, affirmed that the selection followed the Customary Law of Kontagora Emirate and their decision was based on their own conviction without any undue influence.
He noted that Bello thereafter acted under section 3 subsection (1) of the Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Law Chapter 19, Law of Niger State 1989 (as revised) and all other powers conferred on him and appointed Mohammed Barau Kontagora as the seventh Emir of Kontagora.