By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMGANI, Bauchi –
Alhaji Bello Kirfi, a second Republic Minister and a Minister of Special Duties to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has been stripped of his traditional title of “Wazirin Bauchi” and removed from being a Council Member of the Bauchi Emirate Council, for his “disloyalty and disrespect” to Governor Bala Mohammed.
Our Correspondent reports that this is the second time in five years that the Bauchi Emirate Council would take such action on Kirfi ,who is also a retired federal civil servant and a one-time Pro-Chancellor, University of Ilorin from 1997-99.
The Secretary of the Bauchi Emirate Council, Alh. Shehu Mudi Muhammad, conveyed Kirfi’s removal in a letter addressed to him, dated January 3rd, 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 that his removal followed a directive from the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state for his “disloyalty and disrespectful” to the governor.
“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,” the terse letter read.
Below is the copy of the letter:
It would be recalled that Bello Kirfi was suspended by the Bauchi Emirate Council in March 2017 during the administration of former governor Mohammed Abubakar for alleged “disloyalty and unruly behaviour.”
But three years later, following the intervention of governor Bala Mohammed and wider consultations, the Emir of Bauchi rescinded the Council’s suspension and restored him in August 2020.
The governor personally visited the elder statesman in his house and presented him with the letter reinstating him as the Wazirin Bauchi where he applauded him for his patriotism, commitment and sportsmanship especially his efforts in the protection of the rights of Bauchi indigenes and Nigerians in general.
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