A former Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, has said that his removal as Wazirin Gaya is an action without any value or legal standing.
Reacting to the announcement by the Gaya Emirate Council that his traditional title had been withdrawn, Mr Alhaji said the move was politically motivated and failed to follow due process.
In a statement issued on his behalf by Ibrahim Dan’azumi Gwarzo of the APC Patriotic Volunteers, a political group he founded, Mr Alhaji said, “The removal carries no weight. It was done without following the proper steps outlined in the Emirate laws.”
He explained that, normally, removing someone from a traditional position involves certain procedures such as issuing a query, giving room for a defense, and stating reasons clearly none of which were done in his case.
According to the statement, “Even if Alhaji Usman Alhaji was the Waziri of Gaya, the withdrawal of his title must go through legal steps such as a query over misconduct and a fair chance to respond. Skipping these steps is not only wrong but unjust.”
The group also pointed out that the issue has roots in a law passed by the Kano State House of Assembly, which abolished the four additional first-class emirates Gaya, Rano, Karaye, and Bichi and downgraded them to second-class status.
“As a result of that law, Alhaji Usman Alhaji stopped being the Waziri of Gaya,” the statement added.
“He and many others stayed away from their palaces when the first-class status was removed.”
However, after the emirates were recently restored to first-class status under Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration, the Emir of Gaya reportedly requested the return of some former title holders, including Mr Alhaji, but his name and others were not approved by the government.
“We don’t understand why the Emir singled out the removal of Alhaji Usman Alhaji when several other names were also not approved,” the statement read.
Despite the development, the former SSG said he is proud of his service as Waziri of Gaya, a role he held for three years when the emirate had first-class status.
“We give glory to Allah that Alhaji Usman Alhaji served the Gaya Emirate diligently. He will always be remembered and addressed as Wazirin Gaya, even after his death,” the group said.
“No matter the political games, Alhaji’s legacy remains. We are also waiting for the Supreme Court to give a final ruling on this matter.”
Recall that the Gaya Emirate Council, on June 19, withdrew the traditional title of Wazirin Gaya from Alhaji Usman Alhaji, citing certain unavoidable circumstances as the reason for the decision.
