Why the Wazirin Bauchi was suspended
The suspension of Wazirin Bauchi, Alhaji Bello Kirfi by the Bauchi emirate council opens a new chapter in the history of the emirate. It generated a lot of questions as to why and how the Waziri was suspended on the orders of the emir, Dr Rilwanu Suleman Adamu.
The suspension which was conveyed in a statement issued by the emirate council and signed by its Information officer, Alhaji Salmanu Yakubu Lame stated that Kirfi was suspended for unruly behaviour and disloyalty.
Although the statement did not include details of the offences, palace sources revealed that the suspension may not be unconnected with an incidence that occurred at the Bauchi Central Mosque before the Jumu’at prayer two weeks ago.
The source revealed that the Waziri was involved in verbal altercation with Walin Katagum, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu which angered the emir which allegedly led to the suspension of Alhaji Bello Kirfi (Wazirin Bauchi).
“When the Waziri came into the mosque, he saw Alhaji Adamu Aliyu (The Walin Katagum) sitting close to the emir of Bauchi, which was supposedly his position. The Waziri felt it was not right and promptly reprimanded the Wali and as the Wali made to change his position, the emir of Bauchi held his hand and asked him to remain seated,” the source said.
According to the source, the emir’s action reportedly infuriated the Waziri who told the emir that it is not right for him to act the way he did because it will bring disrespect to the Bauchi emirate council.
The Waziri was quoted by the source as saying to the emir of Bauchi; “Can Adamu Aliyu (Walin Katagum) have the courage and temerity to sit as close to the emir of Katagum as he did to the emir of Bauchi?”
According to the source, the Emir of Bauchi became furious with the public outburst and later directed the immediate and permanent suspension of the Waziri to assert his authority.
Another palace source said that what transpired at the Mosque may not be the main reason for the suspension but it might have sealed the decision.
“He has committed over five offences against the emirate in the past which have been documented and the emirate has since been taking measures to tame any attempt to put it to ridicule,” he said.
Other sources informed that Waziri Kirfi has allegedly not been in the good books of the present Emir, an issue that dates back to the period after the death of former emir, Alh. Suleiman Adamu, father of the present emir.
He reportedly supported another candidate out of about five people who were interested in ascending the throne of the emir after the death of late Emir.
Suspension, a surprise?
However, the suspension of Alhaji Bello Kirfi as the Waziri of Bauchi came to many as a surprise because of his public standing.
Apart from being the Waziri, Kirfi was an accomplished technocrat and administrator who held many offices since the 1960s. He was reportedly appointed as Waziri by the grandfather of the present emir, Mallam Adamu Jumba.
Kirfi has also been a very powerful figure within and outside the emirate, especially within the Bauchi State elite’s circle.
A family man, Kirfi has many children and grandchildren in many fields of endeavour and one of his sons, a lawyer, was a commissioner in the administration of former Bauchi State governor, Mallam Isah Yuguda.
Divergent views also trailed the suspension of Alhaji Bello Kirfi
While some see it as long overdue because of an alleged friction between the estranged Waziri and many traditional title holders in the emirate and the emir, other see it as a big surprise because of his position within and outside the palace.
A Bauchi resident, Mallam Lawan Yusuf opined that although what happened was sad and unusual, if what allegedly happened between the Emir and the Waziri at Juma’at mosque actually transpired, then in his opinion, the Waziri had erred.
“Because one cannot talk publicly to a head of a traditional institution like the Bauchi Emirate and expect to get away with it,” he said.
However, another resident, Mallam Mohammad Shehu Ilelah saw nothing wrong in what the Waziri allegedly did that led to his suspension.
“In my view, the Waziri was trying to bring respect to the emirate council and that the public reprimand of the Walin Katagum will deter others from making such attempts in future,” he said.
A community leader who is also close to the emirate who also spoke to our correspondent a day after the suspension said that what happened was not a surprise because it has been in the offing.
“Many people will have to intervene to avert the suspension! But nobody got the chance to do that. The emir has his reasons for taking the decision to suspend the Waziri. Our prayer is for the dispute to be resolved,” he said.
Inter-emorate row averted What happened at the Friday Mosque, which involves the Waziri and Walin Katagum might have sparked a diplomatic row between the two emirates.
Katagum and Bauchi are two powerful emirates with a very rich history and respect for each other.
Walin Katagum is a very powerful traditional title holder in his emirate as the Waziri is in Bauchi emirate. Therefore disgracing a traditional title holder in either of the emirates will spark a diplomatic row between the two.
Sources revealed that the late emir, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu had a very high regard for Walin Katagum to the extent that he called him ‘Baba’ because he bears the name of his father, Emir Adamu Jumba.
That respect being accorded by the late emir was said to have been upheld by the present emir who also respects the Walin Katagum a lot.
They opined that if it were during war times, it might have sparked one between the Bauchi and Katagum emirates as it will amount to a challenge to confront one.
Atiku steps in The visit by former vice president, Atiku Abubakar to the Emir of Bauchi marks the beginning of an attempt to reconcile the emir and the Waziri over the suspension.
While speaking at the palace of the emir, the former vice president said that he heard what transpired and the subsequent suspension of Bello Kirfi on the orders of the emir.
He said that, what transpired was regrettable as the traditional institution is a respected institution which prides itself as the epitome of decorum and good conduct.
He however stated that despite its rooted cultural and religious values, mistakes can be committed at one point or another which must be handled with extreme care and wisdom.
He therefore pleaded with the emir to reconsider his decision, forgive and forget whatever the Waziri might have done adding that as a human he is bound to err.
He commended the emir for the way he his handling his subjects and prayed for continued peace in Bauchi State, the north and the entire country.
The emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwanu Suleman Adamu, in his response commended the former vice president for the visit.
He said that Atiku had demonstrated his respect for the traditional institution and his need for peace and unity among people.
He promised to reconsider the suspension, saying that they would find a way of resolving the issue.
“We thank you for the visit and I promise you that we will find a way to reconcile Insha Allah,” he said.
While speaking, the Chief Imam of Bauchi, Bala Ahmad Baban Inna commended the former vice President for his effort to bring reconciliation.
“You have done a great work. Because Allah has promised a big reward for a person who reconciles disputing parties,” he said.
According to observers, the intervention of the former vice president may work due to his relationship with the Waziri, the emir and another powerful figures in the emirate, Alhaji Ado Yakubu Wanka.