January 02, (THEWILL) – Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has denied having any physical combat with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, that allegedly led to his removal from office.
Yusuf made the denial while delivering an address after Swearing in 21 Permanent Secretaries, 15 Advisers and 1 Local Government Chairman at the Government House, Kano, on Tuesday, describing the rumour as stupid and unfounded.
It was rumoured in the state that Governor Yusuf had a physical combat with Bichi that led to his removal from office.
However, it was in the news that the SSG had travelled to Egypt for medical attention, which led to the appointment of the State Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa, as acting SSG, pending the return of Dr Bichi.
“I personally overheard someone on the radio saying I 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.
“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 explained.
He further clarified that the SSG is presently recuperating from the illness that led to his leaving the office a few weeks ago.
The SSG is confirmed to have recovered and will soon be back to resume work.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
