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From Paul Orude Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has again warned that the policies being implemented by President Bola Tinubu, if not checked, are capable of destroying the fortunes of the country.
Governor Mohammed spoke when he received Apostle Johnson Suleiman, Senior Pastor and General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, at Government House Bauchi, yesterday.
He explained that he did not have any personal grudge against President Tinubu in view of his constant criticisms of policies of the Federal Government.
“Tinubu’s policies don’t have a clear vision and are taking us to the road to perdition and destruction. That is why when I talk about the tax reforms it is not because I don’t want reform but I want reform that will have national impact. I don’t have anything against the president but respect.”
The governor, who expressed pessimism about some of the policies, maintained that he would not be tired of pointing out the shortcomings of President Tinubu as long as Nigerians continue to be shortchanged by his policies and programmes.
“First of all, let me take this opportunity to clarify in the presence of the man of God, Apostle Suleiman, who has spoken from the heart. You have heard him. I don’t have any personal grudge against the president.
“I am one of those who respects the institution of leadership, especially that of the president. You know my antecedent in the Senate when I rose for the doctrine of necessity. It was to dignify the office of the vice president where my boss became the president.
“But someone must rise to the occasion to tell him the truth. That he is surrounded by misfits and I can now understand from the man of God.
“Tinubu entered governance ill-prepared, without an agenda, without a manifesto.
“We believed so much in him because of his pedigree and antecedent as a Lagos governor who was able to do the magic. I was jumping when he became president even though I am from a different party.
“I thought an Uhuru had come but I have seen freedom and development eluding us and I must advise, as a responsible statesman, as a head of a sub-national that you cannot stifle the aspiration of Nigerians by making all the citizens of Nigerians just customers in a bid to actualise your aspiration. We should see Nigerians as citizens, not customers. We should not bring policies that will divide us. We should live and let’s leave, we should respect our diversity. We should not practice impunity where people feel that they are shortchanged. We should practice inclusivity.
“I am just trying to say that in your government you can do it better by accommodation, by inclusion and by coming up with a straight vision of where you want to take Nigerians, not a fire brigade approach where you will be running after policies and programmes that are alien to us, policies that are not understood and may be misconstrued.”
Responding to questions from journalists, Suleiman blamed Nigerians for their current predicament.
“What Nigerians are going through is partly what they deserve in the sense that before the election we cried out, we screamed, we yelled because when someone comes into leadership without a single manifesto, and says it is my turn, there is nothing you can hold him against because there was no manifesto.”
Last week, the Presidency in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, had told Governor Mohammed to face governance in the northern state and stop playing irresponsible politics.
“Governor Bala should face governance and stop using President Tinubu to burnish his vanishing image. Governor Bala is playing Irresponsible Politics. Rather, he should occupy himself with dealing with the many problems of his state. Ambition is made of sterner stuff.
“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.”
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Dare said Tinubu’s administration is laser-focused on issues of development and how to improve the overall well-being of Nigerians.
“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,” the statement read.
The Presidency argued that Tinubu won the 2023 election and secured a national mandate from Nigerians, and he will not surrender that to satisfy the palate of some pseudo-activists and later-day crusaders.
It also opposed Mohammed’s claim saying “President Tinubu is a listening leader and also a leader who firmly believes in the institutions of state.”
On the Tax Reform Bills, the Presidency urged that anyone or group that feels strongly about the matter before the National Assembly should take advantage of the legislative process.
“How well are the people of his state who still rank as most impoverished among Nigerians faring under his leadership?” The Presidency querried in the statement.
“How well has he, as Governor, used the increased resources at his disposal to improve the quality of life of his people?”
The statement added that just like Tinubu has a duty to all Nigerians, “Governor Bala has a greater duty and responsibility to the people of his state,” therefore, “Constant blustering and playing irresponsible politics will not relieve him of his duty to the people of Bauchi State his leadership has impoverished.”
Two weeks ago, the Presidency had condemned Governor Mohammed over his recent statement, “We will show President Tinubu our true colour,” labeling it as lacking in statesmanship and counterproductive to fostering national unity.
Dare in a post on his X handle @SundayDareSD said the governor’s remarks made in response to the Federal Government’s Tax Reform Act, were unbecoming of a state leader.
“This kind of rhetoric is divisive and undermines the collaborative spirit needed between state governments and the Federal Government to address the pressing challenges facing our nation.”
He stated that under President Tinubu’s administration, Bauchi State has received a record N144 billion in federal allocations, which includes funding for local governments and a special N2 billion intervention aimed at enhancing food security.
“It is worth noting that Bauchi State has been a key beneficiary of federal allocations, yet the state continues to struggle with poverty and underdevelopment,” Dare said. “Instead of issuing threats, the governor should focus on using these resources to improve the lives of his people.”
Dare highlighted the benefits of the Tax Reform Act, stating that it aims to alleviate the burden on small businesses, boost agricultural productivity, and simplify tax collection processes.
“The Tax Reform Act includes provisions that directly benefit states like Bauchi, particularly its small business owners and farming communities,” he added.
“Governor Mohammed should embrace these reforms and leverage them to drive economic growth.”
Dare urged Governor Mohammed to retract his statement and engage constructively with the Federal Government to address any concerns.
“At this critical moment in Nigeria’s development, leaders must demonstrate unity and a commitment to the collective good. Statements like these are not just unhelpful; they erode the trust and collaboration needed to move the nation forward”, Dare said.
He stressed that progress can only be achieved through dialogue, transparency, and the effective use of federal resources, urging all political leaders to prioritise national cohesion over divisive rhetoric.
