By Aliyu Dangida
The embattled Sarkin Kurayen Katsina, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi Ahmadu, has firmly denied his purported retirement from the traditional office of the District Head of Kuraye.
In a strongly worded response to the letters received on September 18, 2023, Alhaji Abubakar has expressed his disapproval of the situation.
The first letter, issued by the respected Katsina Emirate Council and obtained by HotPen, claimed that his retirement was based on the instruction from the State Government.
The second letter, presented in the form of a press release by the State Government Director of Press, stated that his retirement was due to the approval of the recommendation by the Katsina Emirate Council, citing a supposed offense related to presiding over a marriage contract without a medical certificate, involving one party who is HIV positive.
Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi Ahmadu has strongly refuted these claims, asserting that the blame appears to be shifted between the Government and the Emirate Council. He points out that the initial petition was directed to the State Government, which initiated the entire process, rather than the Emirate Council, where he serves as a District Head.
Regarding the marriage in question, Alhaji Abubakar clarified that he was approached by two individuals to officiate their marriage, with him acting as the legal guardian for one of them. In compliance with the law and guidelines concerning the stigmatization of individuals with HIV, he ensured that they consulted a medical doctor and later the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA).
The concerned parties were provided with appropriate counseling and willingly agreed to abide by all the rules involved. In cases where one or both parties are HIV positive, the requirement for a medical certificate is overridden by the imperative to prevent stigmatization and discrimination.
All pertinent details of the case, including the man’s letter of agreement, the medical doctor’s prescribed medications, SACA counseling, and confidentiality agreements, were duly submitted to the State Government for review.
Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi Ahmadu appeals to the public, which has been exposed to this situation, to consider the facts and pass their judgment on this matter.
