Document Shows How Pantami, Other Northern Leader’s Planned Assassination Of Late Kaduna Governor, Yakowa

Nine years after the death of former Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa in a helicopter crash, a document has emerged alleging how his assassination was plotted by some Muslim leaders.

Naija News recall that the Yakowa and former national security adviser, Owoeye Patrick Azazi died in the 2012 crash that birthed yet unanswered questions.

Peoples Gazette reports on Wednesday that Nigeria embattled Minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Pantami and other prominent Muslim leaders in the country had plotted to assassinate the then governor who is of Christian faith.

The online news platform said it reached out to Pantami on the document at it disposal but that the minister had not return a comment yet.

It was unclear whether the resolution of the Muslim leaders was responsible for the helicopter crash that killed Mr Yakowa and Azazi.

Naija News understands that Pantami chaired the July 13, 2010, meeting of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), a foremost Islamic body led by Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar, where it was agreed that the then Kaduna governor is taken down alongside his relatives and supporters.

Mr Yakowa happens to be the first Christian governor of the state which is dominated by Muslims. Though with a mix of Christians but dominantly Muslims, Naija News understands.

“We must either use the security or other means to eliminate the governor, his family and all those they perceive as supporting him,” Pantami and the Muslim leaders were quoted saying in the communique adopted at the meeting held at Bauchi Central Mosque.

The meeting complained that Mr Yakowa was making moves to contest for governor in 2011 and he had the support of former President Goodluck Jonathan, a fellow Christian.

Naija News understands that Yakowa contested in 2011 and won a substantive four years term. He was, however, killed in the helicopter crash barely a year in office.

Though there were suspicions that the event is more than just an accident, and investigation into what happened was never concluded or made public until recent controversy about the President Muhammadu Buhari’s minster.