The Emirate council blamed Zakari’s downfall in part on his criticism of the newly constructed dual highway in Ningi township, Bauchi–Ningi–Kano route, which was announced on social media by State Governor Bala Mohammed.
Zakari’s alleged lack of dedication to the Emirate’s advancement was also mentioned.
The judgment was announced via a letter signed by Council Secretary Sulaiman Shehu Burra and dated November 17, 2023, both in Hausa.
The letter is written, “Warmest greetings and best wishes to you,” in Hausa. Following this greeting, I have been instructed to notify you that, as of this Friday, November 17, 2023, your traditional title of Kauran Ningi has been taken away from you by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ningi, after consulting with his Council.
As a result of your careless attitude toward the Ningi Emirate’s expansion and advancement. The letter also denigrated and denounced the development project—the Bauchi – Ningi – Kano road, a dual highway in Ningi township—that the Emirate had long wished for and heard about on social media.
The 11-kilometer Ningi-Gudduba township road project, which the Bauchi State government awarded at a cost of more than N10.3 billion, sparked uproar in the state.
Zakari was among those who expressed doubts about the road project’s expense.
The former Representative Ningi responded to his removal by thanking him for his previous title and promising to address the grounds for his removal at a later date.
In Hausa, Zakari Ningi posted on his Facebook page. “HRH Emir of Ningi and his Emirate Council have deprived me of the title of Kauran Ningi as of today, Friday, November 17, 2023.”
“I am contesting the rationale for the decision, as stated in the correspondence to that effect. I’ll talk about that when the moment is right.
He said, “Yet, I am incredibly grateful to HRH, the Emir of Ningi, for considering me deserving and consenting to bestow upon me the title of Kauran Ningi tun 2007.”
He asked to be called simply “Malam Salisu” as he ended.