Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed (PDP) and the former Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar (APC)
By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has appealed to the President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate allegations against a former Chief of Air Staff and the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, that he has trained and armed 1000 foot soldiers to destabilise parts of the state ahead of the 2023 elections.
The governor, in a statement signed and made available to journalists in Bauchi on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado.
The statement, which was entitled: “Bauchi: A Worrisome Security Development and Need for Urgent FG Intervention” quoted a report published by Sahara Reporter with the headline: “EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Chief of Air Staff Sadique, Ruling APC Recruit ‘1000’ Militants, Political Thugs’ Ahead of Bauchi Governorship Election.”
The exclusive report has since been refuted by Sadique Abubakar, who is also a former Ambassador to Chad Republic, through his Media Aide, Salisu Barau.
The governor said the recent story by the Sahara Reporters newspaper should be of grave concern to anybody with a keen interest in the development of Bauchi State and the overall health of Nigeria.
He said that quoting a security signal it (Sahara Reporters) has assessed, and an unnamed colonel, the newspaper alleged that “Sadique and the APC had recruited over 1000 foot soldiers with arms to destabilise parts of the state perceived as the opponent’s stronghold”.
“We are not concerned by the lamentations contained in the story, of unnamed APC stalwarts who appear to have been shortchanged during the primaries of the party as that is their internal affair.
“However, against the backdrop of the deteriorating security situation in the country, any responsible Government will be alarmed by this disclosure which, if true, portends a grave danger not only for Bauchi State but also the country at large.
“We note, with concern, that the sudden escalation in violent crimes characterized by kidnappings, banditry and other vices, in certain parts of the state, seem to fall in place with the allegations contained in the Sahara Reporters story.
“During this period, the following places have witnessed increased security threats and actual breaches: Sabon Gari, Garin Sambo, Digare, Mansur and Shafan Duguri in Alkaleri Local Government. Boto and Tudun Wadan Malima in Tafawa Balewa Local Government. Sabon Garin Na Rabi and Gumau in Toro Local Government. Burra in Ningi Local Government.
“Thus, for the past few months, the state government has been stretched to the limits as it battles what, to all intents and purposes, is a well-orchestrated chain of crime and criminality, designed to distract it from its developmental goals.
“Other wicked machinations would be to switch resources to security and antagonize the people against the Government,” he stated.
He said he shudders to imagine that any responsible and patriotic individual or organisation would, willy-nilly, promote violence against its people, more so when, as alleged by Sahara Reporters, the entities involved actually aspire to lead the state.
According to him, allegations raise the question: “Do they aspire to rule over the dead? Though we have heard allegations of violence and insecurity instigated by people in authority, we cannot imagine anyone shooting his way to power, in a democracy.
“Perhaps that is the crux of the matter: some people are yet to come to terms with the democratic ethos that are being installed in the country. In particular, such power-hungry persons cannot understand the sustained and painstaking effort at democratization and people – empowerment that have endeared the Bala Mohammed Administration to the vast majority of the Bauchi people.
“They are shocked that, despite orchestrated campaigns of calumny, Bala Mohammed’s popularity continues to soar as demonstrated by the desertions from other parties to the PDP, with the APC suffering the most biting exodus.”
Mohammed assures the people of Bauchi that despite the eye-opening Sahara Reporters story, his administration will remain focused on delivering the dividends of democracy that, for several years before 2019, had eluded the peace-loving people of the state.
“Let it also be known that the administration will not surrender its constitutionally provided responsibility in the area of security, to any individual or group, no matter how privileged or powerful,” he vowed.
The governor concluded that: “While we advise the law-abiding citizens of the state to go about their legitimate duties, we call on the security agencies and our dear President to cause a thorough investigation of the ominous allegations by Sahara Reporters against the APC and its gubernatorial candidate in Bauchi State, Air Marshal Abubakar Sadique (Retd).
“It should not be overstated that, the plan to foist an extra-constitutional and quasi-military organ on the state, for the purpose of electoral advantage, can only lead to a total breakdown of law and order, with dire and unfathomable consequences for our dear country in general and Bauchi State, in particular.”
