The Emir of Bauchi, Rilwanu Adamu, has approved the dismissal of a senior traditional title holder and member of the Emirate Council, Bello Kirfi, for disrespecting the Governor, Bala Muhammad.
Mr. Kirfi was also removed from his position as Wazirin Bauchi, a title given to the Emir’s chief administrative adviser and to the king.
This is the third time a traditional ruler has been sacked or suspended for allegedly clashing with the governor.
A letter addressed to Mr. Kirfi, who is known to be an ally of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, by the spokesperson of the Emirates Council, Shehu Mudi, stated that he was sacked for disloyalty and disrespect to the governor.
“I was told to refer to the letter received from the Regional Ministry with reference No: MLG/LG/S/72/T dated December 30, 2022.
“The contents of the letter show disloyalty and disrespect to the Executive Governor of the State and the government. Therefore, it is directed to delete it immediately.
“According to the above, you are hereby removed from office as the Wazirin of Bauchi and also as a Member of the Bauchi Emirate Council,” Mr. Mudi said.
The relationship between Mr. Kirfi and the governor broke down shortly after Mr. Mohammed was sworn in. But the rift between the two became undeniable last year after the start of the campaign for this year’s elections.
Mr. Mohammed recently wrote to the PDP Chairman, Iyiorchia Ayu, alleging that he was being sabotaged by “godfathers” close to the party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Atiku.
Although Mr. Mohammed did not mention the names of the godfathers, it is believed that he was referring to Mr. Kirfi, the former speaker of the DPR, Yakubu Dogara and Abdul Ningi, who are all known to be close allies of Mr. Atiku.
Not the first time
PREMIUM TIMES reports that this is not the first time a traditional titleholder has lost his position after parting ways with Mr. Mohammed.
In 2021, the flamboyant Yakubu Shehu was suspended as the Birnin Bauchi Representative “for disrespecting the emir by wearing a grand robe befitting an emir” during a royal durbar at the Bauchi State Government House.
The MP also ignored and refused to greet the emir when he entered the venue with his entourage.
Mr. Shehu, who is a member of the House of Representatives representing Bauchi metropolis, is a member of the People’s Redemption Party, PRP.
Despite the reasons given for the sack, Mr. Shehu said he was delayed because he did not join the governorship PDP when he decided to leave the PRP, where he was elected as a member of the federal parliament. However, he rejoined his former party, APC.
In 2022, the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, was suspended as Jakadan Bauchi by the emirate due to the crisis in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro areas.
The council accused Mr. Dogara of complicity in the crisis, but he blamed the state government for orchestrating the delay.
Mr. Dogara was allegedly in trouble with the governor for rejoining the APC from the PDP. They are from the same political zone, Bauchi South.
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