KANO State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has refuted claims of engaging in any fistfight with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, resulting in the latter’s removal from office.
The governor dismissed the rumour as baseless during an address delivered on Tuesday at the swearing-in of 21 permanent secretaries, 15 advisers, and one Local Government Chairman held at the Government House in Kano.
Rumours have circulated in the state suggesting a physical confrontation between Governor Yusuf and the SSG had led to the latter’s removal.
However, reports indicated that the SSG travelled to Egypt for medical treatment, leading to the appointment of the Head of Service (HoS), Abdullahi Musa, as the acting SSG.
“I overheard someone on the radio saying we exchanged blows with the SSG.
“Some people are jobless and have taken politics as their means of livelihood and always concoct rumours deliberately to generate tension. But this time they have failed woefully.
“For the fact that we have appointed the state’s Head of Service, as acting SSG does not imply that he is relieved of his position. The office cannot be left vacant due to its sensitive nature” the governor stated.
Governor Yusuf said that appointing the state’s HoS as the acting SSG did not imply the removal of the SSG from his position. He said the sensitive nature of the office warrants its continuous occupancy.
He further explained that the SSG is presently recuperating from an illness that had led to his temporary absence from office a few weeks ago and his seat awaits his return.
Confirming the SSG’s recovery, the governor announced the imminent return of the SSG in a few days to resume his duties in full capacity.
