Alhaji Rufai Ibrahim, the Chief Imam of Wala Jumat Mosque in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, has tendered his resignation amid controversy surrounding a N500,000 Ramadan gift by the Governor Nasiru Idris to chief imams in the state.
Architect Muhammed Sani Aliyu, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, who disclosed this during a press briefing, explained that Alhaji Ibrahim was suspended earlier by the Chairman of Birnin Kebbi LGA before voluntarily resigning from his position as chief imam. Aliyu said the chief imam’s resignation stemmed from a disagreement over the distribution of the N500,000 Ramadan gift, alleging that his Deputy, Malam Mamman Na Ta’ala Yahaya, only gave him N200,000 from the gift meant for both of them.
Aliyu said that instead of addressing his concerns through official channels such as the state’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Emirate Council or the Chairman of Birnin Kebbi LGA, the chief imam reportedly lodged his complaint with the Department of State Services (DSS).
He further said, “Following his suspension by the local government chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim decided to resign from his position. The government accepted his resignation and directed his deputy to assume the responsibilities of the Jumat mosque.”
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The commissioner urged the Gwandu Emirate Council to appoint a new chief imam for the Jumat mosque to fill the vacancy created by Alhaji Ibrahim’s resignation.