Alhaji Bello Kirfi, a former Minister of special duties, has filed a lawsuit against the Bauchi State government to overturn his dismissal as a senior councillor in the Bauchi Emirate Council.
According to reports, Kirfi, a retired federal civil servant who served as a minister under Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s administration in the 1980s and as Minister of Special Duties under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration in the 2000s, had his traditional title of “Wazirin Bauchi” taken away from him by the Bauchi Emirate Council for alleged “disloyalty and disrespect” toward the State Governor, Bala Mohammed.
The Nonagenarian was informed of his removal in a letter delivered to him on January 3rd, 2023, with reference number BEC/ADM/20/VOL.XV and the subject line “Removal from office as a Council Member and Traditional Title of Wazirin Bauchi.”
Muhammad said in his letter that Kirfi was removed from office as a result of his “disloyalty and disrespect” to the Governor, which was reported to the Emirate Council by the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
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.”
However, the former minister claimed that he had filed a lawsuit to contest his dismissal in a brief statement issued on Wednesday and signed by his son and official spokesperson, Yakubu Kirfi.
“The Issue of Removal As Wazirin Bauchi And Council Member on the 3rd January 2023 orchestrated by the State Government via Emirate Council, have Undoubtedly generated controversies in and around the state. Thus, People from all walks of life trooped to the house of Alhaji Muhammad Bello Kirfi on a sympathy and solidarity visit, it’s much appreciated.
“Unambiguously, the matter is currently before the competent court of jurisdiction, which will determine the legality of the purported action by the State Government. So far, there is no Official Press Statement/Release from Alh. Muhammad Bello Kirfi CON,” he wrote.
Additionally, he refuted media reports in various media outlets (not NewsclickNG) that his father had promised to oust Governor Bala Mohammed in the general election of 2023 because he had helped elect him.
According to him, the story is “unfounded and not genuine,” and as a Muslim, he believes that Allah both grants and takes power.
Yakubu, a former Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General in the administrations of Mohammed Abubakar and Bala Mohammed, said, “Our attention has been drawn to the publications on the 8th and 9th of January, 2023, by some Media Organizations quoting Alh. Dr. Muhammad Bello Kirfi CON to have said that he will unseat Gov. Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed (Kauran Bauchi) in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Bauchi State.
“The story is unfounded and not genuine. Religiously, as Strong believers in the Islamic Article of Faith, We believe power belongs to Allah alone, he gives it to whom he wishes, and takes It when he wishes.”
