Bauchi Governor dethrones ex-minister for disrespecting him

BY MAYOWA SAMUEL

The Bauchi Emirate Council has approved the removal of Muhammadu Bello Kirfi as the Wazirin Bauchi, over alleged “disloyalty and disrespect” to the State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

The removal was conveyed in a letter signed by the Secretary of the Bauchi Emirate Council, Shehu Mudi Muhammad.

Kirfi, a retired federal civil servant, was a Minister in the government of Shehu Shagari in the 1980s, the Pro-Chancellor, University of Ilorin from 1997-99 and was Minister of Special Duties during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo in the 2000s.

The letter was dated January 3, 2023, with reference No: BEC/ADM/20/VOL.XV, and titled: “Removal from office as a Council Member and Traditional Title of Wazirin Bauchi.”

Muhammad stated in the letter that the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state informed the Emirate Council of Kirfi’s “disloyalty and disrespectful” to the governor, hence his subsequent removal from office.

He said, “I am directed to refer to a letter received from the Ministry of Local Government Affairs of reference No: MLG/LG/S/72/T dated 30th December 2022.”

“The content of the said letter indicated your disloyalty and disrespect to the Executive Governor of the State and the government. It therefore directed for your removal with immediate effect.

“In view of the above, you are hereby removed from office as Wazirin Bauchi and also as a Council Member of Bauchi Emirate.”