By Tokunbo Oloruntola
(Lagos) and Chinedu Offor
(Washington D.C.)

American authorities are scrutinising the activities of a Nigerian governor who clamours for the introduction of Islamic law across the land, “from the Sahara to the Atlantic”, envisioned in the 1960s by Ahmadu Bello, the late Sadauna of Sokoto.

But the man in their sights is not Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, who has accused the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) of instigating the feud between Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims as clashes resumed at the weekend in the old capital of the Caliphate.

They have already claimed several lives and property.

Daily Independent learnt in Washington that the other governor (name withheld) is on the watch list of American law enforcement and immigration officials.

Besides, he and his close aides are on the list of several Nigerian officials compiled by the United States whose travel documents into the country may be revoked soon.

Administration officials said he harbours strong anti-American sentiments and is known to have expressed support for certain Islamic fundamentalists opposed to U.S. interests.

The governor, who has siblings residing in the U.S., caught the attention of the officials when he allegedly backed the call for a Jihad by a pro-Northern group under the influence of an emir who once served as an aide to a senior military officer.

His actions may have influenced a recent report by the State Department warning of a possible Al-Qaeda presence in Nigeria and a gathering threat against the government.

The warning said the terrorist organisation plans to overthrow the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo and may be in contact with some senior Nigerian officials.

The U.S is not openly accusing the governor of any direct link with terrorist organisations though; it is pursuing “a deliberate strategy of investigating whether his comments are just political rhetoric or have a more sinister motive”, according to sources.

“We have not established that he has any link with any terror organisation, but we are looking into his recent comments to determine if he will henceforth be allowed into the U.S".

On the surface, the dispute in Sokoto is over doctrinal differences between the Shi’ite and the Sunni as well as access to the Sokoto central mosque.

But, going by the word of Bafarawa, the real cause is rivalry between his All Nigeria People's Party(ANPP) and the PDP.

He called on religious authorities to intervene after one person was killed and 14 others wounded last Friday.

"As far as I'm concerned, what is happening is political and because of that I wrote three petitions to President (Olusegun) Obasanjo complaining of the PDP’s role in instigating the problem," Bafarawa told a radio phone-in on Sunday.

Bafarawa, himself a Sunni, has argued that Shi'ites be given access to the central mosque, but is often heckled by the public who accuse him of siding with the Shi'ites.

"I am only a governor. Issues of religion belong to the Sultanate Council, which is in charge of mosques and preaching; so I appeal to people not to allow themselves to be used by politicians in killing each other," he said.

The Shi’ite alleged that the Sunnis attacked their headquarters in Sokoto for the second time in four days on Monday, wounding several people.

The rival groups have waged bloody street battles in the ancient city for about two months.

Heavily armed riot police cordoned off the area around the Shi'ite compound on Monday after it was attacked by Sunnis wielding bows and arrows and machetes, according to a witness.

"I suspect that the police are protecting the Sunnis”, said Shi'ite leader Kasimu Umar. He confirmed that several people were injured in Monday's attack.

More than 20,000 people have been killed in religious, ethnic and communal violence in Nigeria since the country returned to democracy six years ago.