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Tag: Bauchi state

  • Gov Mohammed dissolves cabinet, fires all political officeholders

    Gov Mohammed dissolves cabinet, fires all political officeholders

    Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has dissolved the state Executive Council, terminating the appointment of all political officeholders in the state.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Ibrahim Kashim, said this at a news conference on Thursday in Bauchi shortly after the state Executive Council meeting.

    Kashim said that the action was inline with the provision of the constitution, adding that the governor would constitute another council after his swearing-in on May 29.

    “As you are aware, the inauguration of his excellency for the second term comes up on Monday 29 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium.

    “From a valedictory session of the council meeting today which was supposed to be the last under this first term administration as it draws the curtain of the council.

    “The council was dissolved, meaning that all the political appointees, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Advisers, Chairmen of Boards and board members of all agencies and companies have been dissolved,” he said.

    Kashim said that during the meeting, the governor thanked every member of the council for his dedication leading to the success of the administration.

    “On the part of the members, they all individually thanked the governor for the opportunity given to them to contribute their quota towards the development of the state.

    “They also pledged their loyalty and allegiance to him whether they found themselves in or outside the government to be sworn in on May 29,” he said.

  • FRSC Commander in trouble over Sharia law controversy

    FRSC Commander in trouble over Sharia law controversy

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recalled the Bauchi State Sector Commander, Mr Yusuf Abdullahi, to its National Headquarters, Abuja for necessary administrative action.

    This is following an opinion credited to Mr Abdullahi, which quoted him to have said the FRSC was seeking the introduction of Sharia Law to punish traffic offenders.

    Abdullahi was quoted to have said the introduction of Sharia Law by the Corps would curtail bad behaviour by motorists as most crashes were due to their negative attitudes.

    However, the FRSC has dissociated itself from the opinion published on different news platforms.

    The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem on Saturday in Abuja, however, described the opinion as baseless and unfounded, adding that it did not reflect the position of the FRSC.

    “The public is humbly called upon to disregard the entire content of the opinion as published.

    “This is because it is baseless, unfounded and does not apply in FRSC’s operations and service to the Nigerian people,’’ he stated.

    He stated also that by the statement, the Bauchi Sector Commander had breached FRSC’s regulations and its Standard Operating Procedures

    “Without any reservation, it is important to inform the general public that the FRSC is a government agency with statutory responsibilities for road safety administration.

    “It is also sensitive to the country’s multi-religious as well as heterogeneous ethnic composition.

    “It is important to state that the Corps is neither a religious nor sectional organisation, but a Federal Government agency established with a mandate guided by the provisions of an establishment Act.

    “The FRSC is not guided by Sharia, Mosaic or customary law that contradicts the provisions of its establishment Act, or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’’ Kazeem stressed.

  • Police open up on rumoured attack on INEC Chairman’s residence

    Police open up on rumoured attack on INEC Chairman’s residence

    The Police Command in Bauchi State has dismissed rumours emanating from video reports that the Bauchi residence of Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was attacked by hoodlums.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Spokesman of the Command, SP Ahmed Wakil, and made available to Journalists on Saturday in Bauchi.

    He noted that the the attention of the Command has been drawn to a viral video, making the rounds in the media, that the Bauchi residence of the INEC Chairman was attacked.

    “We categorically wish to state that the video and its content are entirely fake, as no such event occurred within or around Bauchi metropolis earlier today,” he said.

    Wakil said the Bauchi Commissioner of Police, CP Aminu Alhassan, is cognisant of the negative impacts of disinformation to public peace and security.

    “However, we have already ordered a discreet investigation to unravel the origin of the video, with a view to ensuring that the fabricator of the viral clip faces the full wrath of the law.

    “The Command reiterates that there was no attack of any nature on the residence of the INEC Chairman in Bauchi,” he said.

    The Spokesman, however, urged the general public not to panic, while also disregarding the fake video and its malicious content.

    Attack on Yakubu’s property false — INEC

    Similarly, INEC had debunked speculations in social media that the property vandalised by some youths in a video clip, belonged to its Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

    Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, said Yakubu had no such property anywhere in the world.

    He urged members of the public to disregard the claim.

    “The property being purportedly attacked by some youths in a video clip, circulating on the social media, does not belong to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

    “The INEC Chairman does not own the property in question in either Bauchi or anywhere else around the world.

    “This narrative is indeed the latest in the series of desperate smear campaign efforts by mischief makers. The public should disregard it,” Oyekanmi said.

  • Gov Election: Bala Mohammed wins Bauchi Gov’ship re-election ticket

    Gov Election: Bala Mohammed wins Bauchi Gov’ship re-election ticket

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the incumbent governor of Bauchi State, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the gubernatorial election in the state.

    Earlier, Bala was leading the two other major contestants in the just-concluded governorship and house of assembly elections in the state going by the results gathered INEC office in Bauchi.

    According to the commission, PDP polled 525,280 votes against APC’s 432,272, NNPP 60,496.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls that a week after losing his bid to win the PDP presidential ticket, Bala won his governorship reelection ticket on the platform of PDP.

    The governor emerged as the governorship flagbearer of the PDP in the state after a fresh primary election was conducted on Saturday following the decision of the initial winner, Barrister Ibrahim Mohammed Kashim, to step down days ago.

    Gov Election: Bala Mohammed wins Bauchi Gov’ship re-election ticket
    Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed

    As of the time of filing this report, collation officers had presented results of the governorship election to the returning officer, Prof Abdulkarim Sabo Mohammed, who is the vice chancellor of Federal university, Dutse Jigawa.

    The results show that the governor has, so far, won in 12 local governments out of the 20 in Bauchi State.

    However, a candidate of the major opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (ETC) was able to win in only six local government areas of the state.

    By 9:35pm on Sunday, the results from 18 local governments were submitted to INEC, while results were being awaited in two major councils namely, Toro and Bauchi local government areas.

    Bala won in Jama’are LGA, Kirfi LGA; Bogoro; Warji; Itas Gadau; Shira; Zaki; Ganjuwa; Dass; Alkaleri; Ningi; and Tafawa Balewa local government.

  • Duguri attack: Unravel remote cause of attack – Group tell Bauchi Justice Commissioner

    Duguri attack: Unravel remote cause of attack – Group tell Bauchi Justice Commissioner

    Following the violent clash that erupted in Duguri, Bauchi state, which resulted  to 18 persons getting injured and one person killed, a group has reached out to the State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General to immediately constitutes a fact-finding committee to investigate the remote and possible causes of the violence.
    The call was made by a group known as ‘Concerned Citizens of Bauchi State’ on Tuesday.
    The group made the call in its response to the brutal killing of innocent citizens of Duguri, Alkaleri Local Government Area Of Bauchi State during the campaign rally of the gubernatorial candidate of the APC In Bauchi State.
    According to the leader of the group, Mal. Danlami Danfulani Sarkin, Dawaki Mai Tuta Dass, the innocent killings of some persons in the state was uncalled for and should be looked into.
    “It is with heavy heart and deep sorrow that I address you gentlemen of the press on this unfortunate incidence of killing of the innocent citizens of Bauchi State in Duguri Village of Alkaleri Local Government Area, during the campaign rally of the Gubernatorial candidate of the APC on Wednesday, 8th March,2023.”
    Continuing he said ,”You may recall that I was a stakeholder of the APC in the state, a member of State Campaign Council and a member Technical and Advisory committee of Gubernatorial candidate, Amb. Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar Rtd.”
    Danlami Dan Fulani stated that, “After duly studying the terrain of his campaign and the composition of his team, I realized that it is not a viable team that will bring developmental projects, peace and social security to the state, which I voluntarily together with my teaming supporters withdraw our membership cards from APC as a party.”
    He also stated that,”And I also resigned as a member of the state campaign council, and member of the technical and advisory council from his campaign.”
    “Now, people will bear me witness that with this brutal killings which showed inhumanity of killing people without taking even a stick in their hands, but which they have paid with their bloodshed is really an uncalled for. We therefore condemn, in strong terms this barbaric act of brutality, on innocents law abiding citizens of Bauchl State You may recall that similar things happened in February this year in Akuyam, Misau Local Government,” he stressed.
    He further stated that,”May I call on the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Bauchi State, to establish a panel that will investigate thoroughly whoever has a hand in this brutal killing, to face justice and face the consequences of his action.”
    According to him, “Now people will believe with us that whoever is looking for leadership, his team or campaign must have self-discipline, honesty, sincerity and his action must condoned the wishes of the people by providing excellent example as a leader with tolerance, open mindedness and have a dialogue as a means of dispute settlement.”
    “I am calling on the people of Duguri to continue to be law-abiding citizens and maintain peace at all time, and wait for justice to prevail,” he said.
    Danlami Dan Fulani added that, “We, the concern citizens of Bauchi State extend our condolences to the families of those brutally killed in the prime of their lives, we are calling on the government of Bauchi state, those injured during the brutal killing that the government should resettle their medical expenses and rehabilitate them.”
    “Finally, we are calling on all politicians with a strong warning to call their members to order in order to allow peace to reign throughout the remaining campaign period,” he concluded.
  • Emir urges UNICEF to use traditional institutions in implementing programmes

    Emir urges UNICEF to use traditional institutions in implementing programmes

    The Emir of Dass in Bauchi State, Alhaji Usman Othman has urged UNICEF to make use of traditional institutions for proper dissemination of its programmes.

    Othman, also a first class emir made the call in Bauchi at a meeting aimed at addressing health and education related issues between the traditional rulers in the state and UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms Christian Munduate.

    He said that this was because the people, especially in the Northern part of the country revere the traditional leaders as they had so much trust in them.

    The royal father stressed the need for the participants to chart a way forward in tackling challenges on maternal health, child survival and out-of-school children.

    “Looking at the successes achieved by UNICEF after collaborating with traditional institutions, there came an initiative to expand the scope of the activities.

    “We have six emirs across the 20 local government areas in the state, and next in the line of hierarchy are the District Heads who do supervise the village heads and the village heads also supervise the Ward Heads who oversee the cluster of households at the grassroots.

    “You could see the chain of communication from top to bottom and bottom up approach, and this trust between the traditional institutions and the people in the community is so much that they do accept and agree to whatever we introduce to them.

    “They have that trust that we can’t do anything that will be against their wish and that will destroy their lives or their means of livelihood.

    “So, if you come to the north here, whatever you want to introduce, any new innovation that you have, it’s much easier to follow this channel of communications to our people than going alone to execute whatever you feel like doing,” he said.

    Responding, Munduate said it was good to heard, learnt and understood the actual situation from the traditional leaders in the state.

    She, however, assured them of UNICEF technical support, adding that each Emirate Council would have comprehensive reports of the locations of every school and primary healthcare facility in their domains.

    According to her, this will help in identifying whether there are enough teachers and health workers in the facilities to enable the UN agency to come through collaboration with the state government in addressing the anomalies.

  • 2023 Elections: Power outage mars APC campaign rally in Bauchi

    2023 Elections: Power outage mars APC campaign rally in Bauchi

    Power outage experienced during the All Progressives Congress, APC All Progressives Congress, (APC)  forced the organizers to end abruptly  the campaign meant to hold at the All Progressives Congress, APC owing to the fact that the microphone ceased to work.

    The Party’s National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who was supposed to usher President Muhammadu Buhari and the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the podium, had barely started making his remarks when the microphone malfunctioned.

    President Buhari had merely climbed the stage and presented the party’s flag to APC governorship candidate in the state, when the microphone started to malfunction. All efforts by the engineer on ground to get it to work proved abortive.

    The President’s security immediately ferried him out of the stadium without making any speech after the presentation of the flag.

    Similarly, the presidential candidate, Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, left the venue without uttering a word to the crowd of party members and supporters after the development caused a commotion at the venue.

  • 2023: Where are Gombe and Bauchi States heading in the campaigns?

    2023: Where are Gombe and Bauchi States heading in the campaigns?

    By Abdulmutallib Abubakar

    Political campaigns for the 2023 elections at Gombe and Bauchi States level are dominated and influenced by incumbency power, godfatherism, internal party politics and involvement of traditional leadership such as emirates councils and other monarchs. In Gombe State, the gubernatorial candidates are Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the incumbent governor contesting under the All Progressive Congress (APC), Muhammad Jibrin Dan Barde and Alhaji Kamisu Ahmad Mai Lantarki, who are contesting under People Democratic Party (PDP) and New Nigerian Political Party (NNPP) respectively. The candidates have nearly equal chance of winning the election, but the campaign patterns seem to be largely controlled and determined by amount of money injected by candidates, most often to rent halls and crowds, use public places, travel to the 11 local governments, wards and villages as well as paying for airtimes on radio and television stations. It can be argued that the incumbent governor who is vying for the second term is more visible than other contestants and therefore, has a slight edge. The governor has structured the campaign from the ward level to local government and state levels while other contestants do not have the required financial resources to tour all the locations, which greatly put them at disadvantage.

    The disadvantage for the serving governor is that he does not seem to be getting the desired blessings from many political godfathers who appear to be adamant not to support his campaigns either financially or physically. This gives other candidates from PDP and NNPP some hope. The campaigns do not also appear to have been getting the required support from other political gladiators in the state and even royal blessings from some traditional rulers that are considered influential.

    The incumbent Governor campaigns on the evidence of infrastructure he claims to have put in place in the state. This is always a claim that comes from incumbency and only the public can verify such claims. Other contestants on the other hand campaign on promise or perceived shortcomings of the incumbent.

    Ordinarily, one would think the PDP is the main challenger to the APC in the gubernatorial contest. In reality though, the strong showing of Mail Lantarki, the NNPP candidate indicates that it is still a matter of conjecture who the main challenger is. PDP is strong because it has previously held power in the state. However, observers point to the leadership inexperience of the current party’s flagbearer and his alleged erratic behaviour including recorded indecent audio utterances alleged to be made by him and seen as unbecoming of a person aspiring to an office as Governor.

    However, all these may come to nothing if the voters deem the baggage of the incumbent governor to be heavier.

    On the other hand, the political campaigns in Bauchi state have similar pattern of contest. The only difference being is the players. The ruling party in Bauchi is an opposition party at the national level. So the campaigns is as hot as election. It is a hot contest as no political party can claim to have a smooth sail and strong comparative advantage. The contest is between three (3) political parties namely PDP, APC and NNPP. The APC is the major opposition party in state. APC ruled the state between 2015 and 2019 and has the majority members of the State Assembly and National Assembly. The party’s gubernatorial candidate is a former Chief of Air Staff, Sadiqque Baba Abubakar who defeated some prominent politicians in a keenly contested APC primary election back in August, 2022. Sadiqque had a successful military career and is popular among the electorate. He is relying on his popularity to campaign and to unseat the incumbent. Sadiqque’s major strength is his duality – having come from Giade LGA which is  part of Katagum Emirates and was born and brought up in Bauchi Metropolis. He has also been a philanthropist, having set up a Foundation that support many people in the state since before he became the Chief Air Marshal. Sadiqque’s running mate is also a political heavy weight in Bauchi State. Many see Sadiqque’s choice of Abdullahi Shehu (Barden Gabas) as a running mate is because he is very popular and is loved by people especially within the state capital whom he once represented at the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

    The NNPP is also a force to reckon with in the elections in Bauchi State because of its flag bearer, Halliru Dauda Jika who is a grassroots politician and a household name in Bauchi politics. Dokaji as he is fondly called, was a member of State Assembly who was also elected Speaker between 2007 and 2015, Member House of Representatives between 2015 and 2019 and a Senator from 2019 to date. He was formerly in APC before he defected to NNPP after losing primary election. He is very popular among the youths and women. He is banking on his popularity in the campaign.

    The incumbent Governor of the state Bala Mohammed is the standing bearer of the PDP in the state. Apart from the incumbency factor, there are various projects executed by his administration that may favour him and he is using them in the campaign. Another factor that will work in his favour is that he is from Bauchi South senatorial district – a zone that has produced all the governors of the state since the return of democracy in 1999.  He was brought to power through protest votes organised and supported by some political gladiators and masses, who were not happy with M.A Abubakar’s APC administration in 2019, despite the corruption allegations against him when he was the FCT minister. However, Bala Mohammed seems to be falling out with his supporters including the political gladiators and godfathers because of his nature of administration, which many people described as self-centred as he failed to address the concerns of particularly civil servants. The incumbent Governor despite these challenges continue to be strong and confident in the face of the 2023 election. He has recently, during his campaign, visited some monarchs to seek their support.

    There is also a fierce political contest for Bauchi South senatorial seat. The current occupant of the seat, Sen. Lawal Yahaya Gumau is contesting under the umbrella of the NNPP and hails from Toro local government area, the second largest area, he was representing at the Green Chamber of the National Assembly between 2011 and 2018. Following the demise of late Sen. Ali Wakili, Gumau contested and won the vacant Senatorial seat. He was re-elected in 2019 and is contesting for the third time now. Gumau is a grassroots politician and enjoys the support of Izala group being one of its top financiers in the state. He is said to have played major role in initiating and also playing vital role in the construction of Fortune University, Magaman Gumau – an institution owned by the religious sect.

    APC candidate is, Hon Shehu Umar Buba, a former Caretaker Chairman of Toro LGA, a vibrant Youth and a community mobilizer. Shehu Buba enjoys the support of Miyatti Allah cattle breeders. He also enjoys the support of Izala. The PDP’s flag bearer is Hon. Garba Dahiru, the immediate past Commissioner for Information in the state. Dahiru is a seasoned journalist and he relies on the support of the state Governor.

    The issues that may favour or disfavour Bala Muhammad campaigns include unnecessarily withholding salaries of State and Local Government workers thereby subjecting them to serious hardship – a factor many believed had contributed negatively against his predecessor, former governor Mohammad Abubakar; also his administration is termed as family and friends affair as his siblings occupy lucrative positions in the government and are said to be the ones undertaking major contracts in the state; the Governor romance with the G-5 governors may work against him because Atiku supporters such as Dr. Bello Kirfi and Sen. Abdul Ningi among others, have already withdrawn from providing support to Bala. In fact, the recent removal of Bello Kirfi as Wazirin Bauchi potents a great danger to the governor’s second term ambition.

    On the other hand, the factors that may work against Sadiqque are first he is not ‘a career politician’; his wife that is the current Minister for Humanitarian Service and Social Investment, Sadiya Umar Faruq may have major influence on him; and lack of clear identity as he seems to be claiming both Bauchi and Katagum Emirates. While for Haliru Jika, the campaign against him are that: people are skeptical about his youthful age as he does not possess the needed maturity, which led to his impeachment as House speaker during the regime of Governor Isa Yuguda; the way he always lavishes money and displays affluence is also a cause for concern which may be used against him during campaigns.

  • Kwankwaso’s coordinator dumps NNPP for PDP

    Kwankwaso’s coordinator dumps NNPP for PDP

    Dr Babayo Liman, the Bauchi State Coordinator of the Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has dumped the party for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Liman, who is also the North-East Zonal Secretary of the party announced his resignation at a news conference on Monday in Bauchi.

    “I want to formally inform the general public, especially members of the NNPP in Bauchi State, North-East and Nigeria at large, that I have resigned as a member of the NNPP.

    “I have also resigned as the Zonal Secretary of the North-East as well as member and coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council of the NNPP presidential candidate, Dr Rabiu Kwnkwaso.

    “Let the general public know that I have withdrawn my membership from the NNPP,  I am no more with the NNPP from today,” he said.

    He said that he ditched the NNPP for the PDP alongside large numbers of his supporters, adding that the party lacked structure to win elections in the country.

    He said that his decision to switched camp also stemmed from internal crisis, flagrant disregard of the rule of law and lack of unity among members due to poor leadership of the party.

    According to him, the NNPP’s leadership poorly managed its affairs resulting to emergence of various factions.

    He, therefore, convassed votes for the PDP and its candidates at all levels in the forthcoming election.

    Also speaking, Yusuf Marafa, Ward Chairman of the PDP, Makama Sarkin-Baki in Bauchi Local Government Area of the state, welcomed the defectors.

    He described PDP  as the most organised party than any other political party, and conducted its affairs like a family.

    He pledged that the party would accommodate and ensure equal treatment of its members.

  • TRAGEDY: 6 feared dead, many injured in Bauchi auto crash

    TRAGEDY: 6 feared dead, many injured in Bauchi auto crash

    Tragedy struck on Sunday when six persons died in a road crash in Sabuwar Miya village of Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

    Yusuf Abdullahi, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), disclosed this in a road traffic report in Bauchi on Sunday.

    The FRSC boss added that 16 other people were injured in the crash.

    He said the lone accident, which involved one Toyota Hiace bus with registration number BA124 AO6, happened around 11:50 a.m.

    According to him, it took the personnel of the corps barely 20 minutes to arrive at the scene of the crash to clear the site.

    The sector commander attributed the cause of the crash to tyre burst and loss of control.

    “Twenty two people were involved in the fatal road crash and there were two male adults, four male children, 10 female adults and six female children.

    “Six of them lost their lives on the spot and there are two female adults, two male children and two female children.

    Abdullahi also stated that both the injured person and the remains of the deceased had been taken to the Kafin Madaki General Hospital for treatment and confirmation.

    He added that arrangements had been made to transfer the injured to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU-TH) for further treatments.

    The sector commander, however, advised road users to always be conscious of traffic rules and regulations while plying the roads.

    He urged vehicle owners and drivers to always ensure good tyres, average speed, routine vehicle maintenance and sound state of mind while driving.