The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Bauchi State has sharply criticized Governor Bala Mohammed for his recent attacks on federal government policies, which he claims have caused suffering for Nigerian citizens.
In a press release attributed to Malam Saadu Umar, the Chairman of the State APC Publicity Committee, the party expressed that since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office, there have been significant positive changes in the economy, particularly through various commendable projects across the state and the nation.
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed had previously condemned the federal government for its inability to tackle widespread hunger, unrest, and poverty, which led to the recent EndBadGovernance protests.
The APC countered that every nation encounters obstacles, labeling Governor Mohammed’s criticism as unreasonable, especially since he had previously supported the removal of subsidies during his tenure as Minister under President Goodluck Jonathan.
The party emphasized that despite existing difficulties, President Tinubu’s initiatives are yielding results. For instance, Governor Mohammed has reportedly benefited from increased monthly allocations, receiving nearly three times the amount compared to before. From January to June, he has collected over N87.4 billion from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).
Furthermore, the APC highlighted that President Tinubu facilitated over N135.4 billion in funding last December to assist vulnerable populations in Bauchi, as well as an additional N438 billion aimed at combating hunger in the state.
The statement also pointed out that President Tinubu has enacted laws to support Bauchi’s workforce, including the newly signed National Minimum Wage Act mandating a minimum wage of N70,000. However, Governor Mohammed has allegedly failed to implement this raise, despite receiving over N100 billion from the federal government.
In a striking contrast, the report claims that the governor has allocated over N11.6 billion to a controversial financial consultant this year, in addition to over N9 billion the previous year.
Instead of prioritizing citizen welfare, including pensioners owed gratuities, Governor Mohammed is accused of spending over N33.5 billion on overhead costs for his office from January to June, while engaging in extravagant projects that may not serve the public interest.
The APC also took issue with the governor’s remarks about President Tinubu’s speeches, suggesting that his misunderstandings stem from an apparent lack of comprehension, as highlighted by his mispronunciation of the word “infallible.” They asserted that many recognized the substance in the president’s address, particularly his proposals to alleviate food prices by eliminating taxes on food imports.
Moreover, the APC Chairman noted that Governor Mohammed’s frustrations stem from President Tinubu’s successful acquisition of a Supreme Court ruling that grants financial independence to local councils in Bauchi State, which has curtailed the governor’s previously unrestrained access to funds.
The Chairman concluded by stating that this judgment is largely welcomed by the public, particularly at the grassroots level, as it diminishes growing discontent with local government administrations.
He proposed that the APC-led National Assembly should eliminate governors’ roles in conducting local government elections to ensure transparency and fairness.
