Re: Bala Mohammed, The Reformer Who Delivers: Why Continuity Matters in Bauchi. A Rejoinder

By Shehu Ahmed Buwayi

I ordinarily do not want to join issues with writers like Musa Azare who use the pen for selfishness and personal gain. My writings after retirement are guided by one purpose: to seek equity and justice in the governance of our dear state, to promote peace and to advocate for equal spread of development projects based on the needs of the people.

However, when I came across the above bootlicking article by an opportunist looking for relevance in the next administration, I realized that Musa Azare has crossed the red line. I will face his retrogressive piece squarely, no matter what. I am concerned because his apologetic reasons do not tally with his past shared opinions on this same government. A true believer should not engage in falsehood — shaida zur — for personal gain.

Musa Azare and His Sudden U-Turn

This is the same Musa Azare that served as Caretaker Chairman, Katagum Local Government. When he was replaced with the son of the Governor’s senior sister, the relationship turned sour. Since then, Musa Azare became an open critic of the Bauchi Governor.

Now that same criticism has suddenly turned to praise, because of peanut? Musa Azare, we need explanation: Why do you now favour Dr. Yakubu Adamu as replacement for Governor Bala? Why this sudden change? Is it principle or appointment?

The Fallacy of “Protecting Taxpayers’ Money”

I laughed when Musa Azare wrote, “what happens to the enormous public investment already made in roads, health care, education, infrastructure and other sectors… It concerns the protection of taxpayers’ money…”

Perhaps Musa’s over-staying in his new-found land — Abuja — has cut him off from what is actually happening in the education and health sectors in the state.

Even if you are outside the State, the recent viral video showing leaking roofs in the girls’ hostel at Government Girls Secondary School, Tafawa Balewa indicates the sorry state of education in Bauchi State under this administration.

Please, during your periodic visit to your hometown Azare, take a trip to General Hospital Azare, popularly known as Asibitin Ali Kwara, and see for yourself the state of an urban hospital under the rulership of your demigod Senator Bala.

Hardly can they pay electricity bills, talk less of water, drugs and other logistics. Our hospitals are now mere consultation centres. Our schools are without instructional materials, without teachers, without roofs.

Though Musa is out to promote the candidature of Dr. Yakubu Adamu, he has ended up implicating him further.

The Roads He Claims: Who Started Them?

He listed completed and abandoned road projects of former Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar Esq. [MA] which were completed by Kaura’s leadership. The lessons learned from that list are clear:

1. Equity in distribution of development projects by former Governor MA — projects were spread across the three Senatorial Districts.
2. Prudent financial management — former Governor MA used budgetary procedures to implement public projects based on actual state earnings, not by embarking on unnecessary and crippling loans.

However, on the part of the list of so-called completed urban roads by the present administration; is there equity in distribution where over 80% is concentrated in one Senatorial District — Bauchi South — and you want us to believe you, Haba Musa!

As our elders say: “Gafiya, tsira da na bakin ki” — meaning, let the reptile escape with what is in its mouth.

I am doubtful about your “concerns for the protection of taxpayers money…” Someone who allegedly participated in using the N19.8 billion left by former Governor MA and deposited at FCMB Main Branch, Bauchi — where Dr. Yakubu Adamu was a worker then — to pay fictitious companies in a single day and still claims he protected taxpayers’ money is telling the joke of the century.

Maybe in the process of moving that huge amount, Governor Bala discovered a willing associate!

The Record of Dr. Yakubu Adamu

Further, I am not convinced with the statement used by Musa to eulogize Dr. Yakubu Adamu’s candidature, especially where he drew the attention of electorates to their judicious responsibilities thus: “electorate… responsibilities remain to examine their candidates, their records, plans, financial management, proposals, commitments to accountability before casting ballots.”

Let us examine the records of Dr. Yakubu Adamu:

1. He was an alleged willing accomplice for Governor Bala at FCMB Main Branch, Bauchi in the controversial disbursement of state funds.
2. He allegedly assisted Governor Bala’s family in money laundering.
3. As Hon. Commissioner of Finance, he allegedly usurped the functions of the Accountant General of the State, contrary to civil service rules and financial regulations.
4. He has a pending court case for money laundering instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC], and is currently on bail.

In a nutshell, Musa Azare wants Bauchi State to be governed by the shadow of Governor Bala — a governor who has brought divisions in the state to enable him to exploit it with ease.

What Continuity Means to Musa Azare

Musa Azare wants continuity for the following:

1. He wants the sale of Bauchi State Forest Reserves to family and friends to continue beyond 2027.
2. He wants the imbalanced appointments of members of the State Executive Council to continue, where a section of the state is treated as second-class citizens.
3. He wants the lease and outright sales of viable state companies like Zaranda Hotels, Wikki Hotels, Bauchi Meat Factory, Galambi Cattle Ranch and Bauchi Fertilizer Company to the cronies of the Governor to continue.
4. He wants, for his personal comfort, a Government that allegedly spent 65% of this year’s budget to satisfy family ambition to continue.
5. He still sees nothing wrong in maintaining a leadership that has chains of corruption and money laundering cases with the EFCC and ICPC amounting to over N200 billion to continue.
6. He sees nothing wrong in the appointment of Badejo from Taraba State as Adviser for almost eight years and the role he allegedly played in laundering money of the state on behalf of his principal, and who is now allegedly assisting the DSS on how huge amounts of money were disposed.

Musa Azare, note for the record: the leader you try to paint white is not a politician but a dictator, by all the characteristics of dictatorship — intolerance to opposition, personalization of state assets, and weaponization of poverty.

Why We Opted For MA

Many of us, out of love for Bauchi State and for peace and reconciliation of the aggrieved, opted for former Governor M.A Abubakar, SAN, to rectify the incompetence of eight years in Bauchi Government House.

Now we need an experienced person, not a stooge, for the bright future of our children. We need a prudent Governor to bring the civil service back to its rightful position, away from family control.

There is law guiding principles in all aspects of the civil service, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria [SAN] can handle it better than someone facing criminal charges in a court of law.

Bauchi State needs rescue, not continuity of failure.

Long Live United Bauchi State
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Shehu Ahmed Buwayi writes from Bakin Kasuwa, Azare, Bauchi State. He is the Secretary General, Human Rights for Community Development