The Kebbi State Government said it ratified the resignation of the Chief Imam of the oldest Jumu’at Mosque in Birnin Kebbi, called “Wala Mosque,” Sheikh Rufa’i Ibrahim.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Muhammad Sani-Aliyu, made this known while briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.

He requested the Gwandu Emirate Council to put machinery in motion for the appointment of a substantive Chief Imam for the Wala Jumu’at Mosque.

Mr Sani-Aliyu also endorsed the appointment of the Na’ibul Imam (Deputy Imam), Mammam Nata’ala, to take over the leadership of the mosque in an acting capacity as directed by the Birnin Kebbi Local Government Council.

He said that the former chief imam resigned from the position on personal grounds, which was accepted by the Birnin Kebbi local government council and approved by the state government.

The commissioner debunked insinuations that Sheikh Ibrahim left his position on monetary issues while short-changed by his subordinates.

“Governor Idris, in his compassionate disposition, gave financial support to the Imams (leaders) of Jumu’at Mosques in the state to help them cushion the effects of the 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 short-changing the former chief imam by his aides is untrue,” he said.

In his contribution, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmad-Birnin-Kebbi, ruled out political undertones in the entire saga.

“We are in a democratic setting; Imam can profess political ideology different from the ruling administration without molestation or harassment. Our governor is all-embracing; every indigene of Kebbi is dear to him. Those peddling rumours of political differences as a reason for the resignation of the chief imam are wrong. Sheikh Ibrahim relinquished his position on personal volition,” the commissioner explained.

(NAN)