By Umar Faruk, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Ministry of Religious Affairs has ratified the resignation of the Chief Imam of the oldest JUMA’AT Mosque in Birnin Kebbi, the Wala Mosque, Sheikh Rufa’i Ibrahim Bashar.
The Ministry also endorsed the appointment of the deputy Imam, Mallam Mammam Nata’ala Yahaya to assume Imamship of the Mosque in acting capacity as directed by the Sole Administrator of Birnin Kebbi Local Government.
This was disclosed at news briefing in Birnin Kebbi this Sunday, the Commissioner in the Ministry, Arc. Muhammad Sani Aliyu, requested the Gwandu Emirate Council to put machinery in motion for the appointment of substantive Chief Imam for the Wala JUMA’AT Mosque.
Arc. Muhammad Sani Aliyu said the former Chief Imam resigned from the position on personal basis which was accepted by the Birnin Kebbi Local Government and approved by the State Government.
The Commissioner debunked insinuations that Sheikh Rufa’i Ibrahim Bashar left his position on monetary issues of being short changed by his subordinates.
“Governor Nasir Idris in his
compassionate disposition gave financial support to Imams of JUMA’AT Mosques in the state to assist them cushion the effect of present economic hardship in the country and help those around them.
” The government has never received any report of sharp practice in the sharing of the money, therefore, the allegation of reducing the amount due to the former Chief Imam by his aides, is untrue”, he affirmed.
In his contribution, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmad Birnin Kebbi, ruled out political undertones in the saga of the former Chief Imam.
“We are in a democracy, Imams can profess political ideology different from the ruling administration without molestation or harassment. Our governor is all accommodating, every indigene of Kebbi State is dear to him.
” Those peddling political differences as reason for the resignation of the Chief Imam are wrong. Sheikh Rufa’i Ibrahim Bashar Wala relinquished his position on personal volition”, the Commissioner explained.
