Ningi Emirate Goes Tough, Sacks Ex-Lawmaker, Salisu Zakari As ‘Kauran Ningi’
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – For allegedly disparaging the Bauchi State government on social media, the Ningi Emirate Council in Bauchi State has stripped a former member of the House of Representatives, Salisu Zakari Ningi of the traditional title of ‘Kauran Ningi’ with immediate effect.
According to reports filtering in from the Emirate Council, Salisu, a former member of the House of Representatives representing Ningi /Warji Federal Constituency, clearly stepped on powerful toes in government that warranted his being removed from office.
Insider sources confirmed that his sack is obviously connected with his public statement on the recent contract award for the dualization of the Ningi-Gudduba 11km road at the cost of N10.3 billion by the State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir.
Findings indicated the project cost had attracted lots of public criticism but Salisu’s utterances did not go down well with the State government given his privileged position in Ningi Emirate.
The sack was contained in a letter with reference NEC/N/TTH/75/V.1 dated 13th November 2023 but made public on Friday, 17th November 2023 titled in Hausa, “TAKARDAR SAUKEKA DAGA SARAUTAR KAURAN NINGI” (Letter of your removal as the titleholder of Kauran Ningi)
The letter written in Hausa language and signed by the Council Secretary, Sulaiman Shehu Burra reads, as translated: Warmest greetings and best wishes to you. After this salutation, I have been directed to inform you that, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ningi in consultation with his Council has removed from your traditional title of Kauran Ningi effective today, Friday, 17th November, 2023.”
The letter further said; “Consequently upon your lackadaisical attitude towards the development and growth of the Ningi Emirate. As well as condemnation and rubbishing the developmental project the Emirate had yearned for over a long period of time in terms of a dual carriageway in Ningi township, the Bauchi-Ningi-Kano road, as heard in the social media.”
In his response, Salisu Zakari Ningi wrote on his Facebook page in Hausa, “Today, Friday, 17/11/2023, HRH Emir of Ningi and his Emirate Council have removed me from the title of Kauran Ningi.”
According to him, “The reason for the decision as contained in the letter to that effect, I am challenging them. I will speak on that at a later and appropriate time.”
“However, I am very appreciative of HRH, the Emir of Ningi for finding me worthy and agreeing to honour me with the title of Kauran Ningi tun 2007,” he further wrote.
Salisu Zakari Ningi added; “I am praying and wishing well, whoever the Emir and the Council may choose as my replacement. May Allah prolong the life and reign of the Emir and Ningi Emirate. May Allah continue to protect us and grant us peace in Ningi Emirate. I do really appreciate it.”
The one-time Commissioner of Sports in Bauchi state under former Governor Isa Yuguda-led administration concluded by stating, “Please, in the name of Allah, from today, I wish to be addressed simply as, ‘Malam Salisu'”
