The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed has come under fire over his comment criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, who backed his principal in a statement issued on Friday, noted that the present administration is building collaborations with subnational entities and critical stakeholders on issues impacting citizens.
During a condolence visit by the National Chairman Council of Ulama Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah, Sheikh Sani Jingir, at the office of the Governor on Wednesday, he had accused the President of not listening to the people. He added that the President’s economic reform policies are putting the North and Nigerians at large under strain.
A Public Affairs commentator, Abdul-Aziz Abubakar, shared a video of the Governor’s remarks on his X handle on Wednesday. See link
Speaking further, Muhammad had also called on Jingir to leverage his influence and appeal to Tinubu to review his policies.
“You are one of those to whom the president listens. We mean no disrespect, but we have been telling the president that his policies are not working.
“Thank God you are alive today to use your wise words of wisdom in this regard because we politicians often use harsh words; I believe you can help with the change we want,” he appealed.
In his response, Dare reaffirmed the President’s commitment to fostering development and enhancing the well-being of Nigerians.
He stressed that the administration has a national mandate, stressing that they will not pay attention to “pseudo-activists and latter-day crusaders” who are trying to weaken them.
He noted in the statement: “The focus of this government is on how to build stronger collaborations with sub-nationals and other critical stakeholders on matters that affect the lives of Nigerians.
“President Tinubu won an election and secured a national mandate from Nigerians and he will not surrender that to satisfy the palate of some psuedo activists and later day crusaders.
“President Tinubu is a listening leader and also a leader that strongly believes in the institutions of state.
“On the Tax Reform Bills, the President was clear that anyone and groups that feel strongly about this matter now before the National Assembly should take advantage of the legislative process. Attempts to stampede or abort this process must be regarded as undemocratic and self serving.
“The question to Governor Bala Mohammed by journalists is to know what he is doing to make life better for the people of Bauchi State. How well are the people of his state who still rank as most impoverished among Nigerians fairing under his leadership? How well has he as Governor used the increased resources at his disposal to improve the quality of life of his people.
“Just like President Tinubu has a duty to all Nigerians, Governor Bala has greater duty and responsibility to the people of his state. Constant blustering and playing irresponsible politics will not relieve him of his duty to the people of Bauchi State his leadership has impoverished.”
He added: “President Tinubu is focused on revamping the economy and he is working to turn the economic fortunes of the country around. He has a four-year mandate to deliver on his promises. Nigerians have started to see the real impact of reforms of the Tinubu administration and better outcomes will continue to manifest in the lives of the citizens in the weeks and months ahead.
“Governor Bala should face governance and stop using President Tinubu to burnish his vanishing image,” Dare added.
