Former Reps Member Loses Traditional Title For ‘Criticising Bauchi Govt

The Ningi Emirate Council in Bauchi State has stripped a former member of the House of Representatives, Salisu Zakari Ningi of his traditional title as the Kauran Ningi, with immediate effect.

The Emirate council cited Zakari’s criticism of the recently initiated dual carriageway in Ningi township, Bauchi–Ningi–Kano road, flagged off by the State Governor Bala Mohammed on social media, as a contributory factor to his dethronement.

It also cited Zakari’s perceived lack of commitment to the Emirate’s development.

The decision was communicated through a letter dated 17th November 2023, written in Hausa and signed by Council Secretary Sulaiman Shehu Burra.

According to the letter as translated in Hausa reads ” 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 you, your traditional title of Kauran Ningi effective today, Friday, 17th November, 2023.”

“Consequently upon your lackadaisical attitude towards the development and growth of the Ningi Emirate. As well as condemning and rubbishing the developmental project the Emirate had yearned for over a long period in terms of a dual carriageway in Ningi township, the Bauchi – Ningi – Kano road, as heard in the social media,” the letter read.

Recall that the award of the 11-kilometer Ningi-Gudduba township road project at the cost of over N10.3 billion by the government of Bauchi State had generated controversy within the state.

Zakari was one of those who questioned the cost of the road project.

Reacting to his removal, the former Reps Ningi expressed gratitude for his past title but vowed to address the reasons behind his removal at a later time.

Zakari Ningi wrote on his Facebook page in Hausa ” Today, Friday, 17/11/2023, HRH Emir of Ningi and his Emirate Council removed me from the title of Kauran Ningi.”

“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.

He concluded by requesting to be addressed simply as “Malam Salisu.”