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VP Leaves Daughters’ Wedding Abruptly

An alleged disagreement between two Islamic leaders over a particular prayer, may have caused a hitch in the wedding fatiha of the two daughters of Vice President Namadi Sambo in Kaduna state.

Sambo was said to have been whisked away from the venue of the ceremony by security details when supporters of the Islamic clerics engaged in a shouting match, leaving the couples, their parents and well-wishers confused.

Eye witness account disclosed that trouble started at the famous Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna venue of the event when after conducting all the formalities for a wedding fatiha, two respected Islamic clerics, Sheik Dahiru Bauchi and Dr. Ahmed Gumi were asked to offer a special prayer for the couples.

The account said that shortly after Sheik Dahiru Bauchi recited ‘Salatil Fati’ and ends it with the same ‘Salatil Fati’ according to his belief, Dr. Gumi challenged him, saying “Malam Dahiru Bauchi ought not to recite Salatil Fati in this Sultan Bello Mosque, since there were varying views and understanding on the suplication.”

His statement, according to participants at the wedding, stirred a row between their followers, causing the guests including the vice president to immediately leave the venue.

In a reaction, Sheik Umaru Sanda, one of the lieutenants of the Sheik Bauchi said they were not happy with the conduct of Dr. Gumi, urging him to guard against making such utterances in the public in future.

Also, Sheik Yusuf Sambo Rigachikum, said the open confrontation was unnecessary, especially when the two Islamic sects headed by Gumi and Bauchi should have used the wedding of the VP’s daughters to end the age-long rivalry.
The wedding fatiha was contracted amidst tight security in and around the mosque.

One of the vice president’s daughters, Huwaila Sambo was married to Muktar Gambo Ruma, who paid N50, 000 as bride price, while Auwal Abdurrahman, who wedded Aisha Sambo paid N250,000 and five cows, which was received by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, who stood as the father of the brides and gave the (brides) hands in marriage on behalf of Sambo to their husbands.

The Chief Imam of the mosque, who presided over the event, Shiekh Balele Wali, congratulated the couples and prayed Allah to bless them with children and enduring wealth.

Dignitaries at the event included former head of state and Congress of Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate in the 2011 elections, Gen. Muhammad Buhari, governors, ministers, senators, members of the House of Representatives and traditional rulers.