Bauchi Emirate Council Suspends Reps Member over Disrespect to Traditional Institution
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Bauchi Emirate Council under the leadership of His Royal Highness Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu has suspended a member representing Bauchi local government in the Federal House of Representatives Yakubu Shehu Abdullahi who holds the traditional title of ‘Wakilin Birnin Bauchi’ indefinitely over what it described as “disrespect to traditional institutions”.
The announcement of the suspension was contained in letter issued by the secretary Bauchi emirate council Malam Nasiru Musa Maidala which was made available to newsmen in Bauchi.
The letter stated that the tittle holder was suspended for his disrespect for the emir during the just concluded Sallah durbar where he allegedly adorned himself in a royal gown (Alkyabba) that is exclusively for certain categories of traditional holders and also showcasing a staff of office too, which is contrary to the tradition.
Our correspondent gathered that the tradition demands that all title holders remove their royal gowns immediately they come close to the emir as a sign of respect.
The letter said that Honourable Yakubu Shehu Abdullahi acts contrary to the norm on sallah at the emir’s palace and a day after sallah at government house where the emir led his title holders to a homage to governor Bala Mohammed.
The letter reads in parts :“In its sitting today under the chairmanship of his royal highness the emir of Bauchi, the emirate council discussed on your actions which show disrespect to the emir, leaders, the council members, district heads, village heads especially how you pass them with royal gown and royal stick which is a contempt and you were warned only for you to refuse to heed the warning.
“What happened on Saturday at government house was an indication of your disdain for the emir, the emirate, the governor and government. The council cannot condone this. You are therefore suspended indefinitely from the emirate”. The letter reads in parts.
All efforts to get the reaction of the suspended house of representatives member was futile as he was not responding to phone calls or texts messages.