By ARMSTRONG ALAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has said that former leaders of the state tried to scuttle his second term electoral victory by making him lose at the Supreme Court.
He however said that his persistence which made him spend seven days in Abuja without sleeping restored his mandate that would have been scuttled.
According to him, the former leaders perpetuated lies and mischief against him before President Bola Tinubu so he (the President) can see him as a problem.
The Governor spoke at the Government House Bauchi during a reception organized in his honour following the Supreme Court’s verdict which affirmed his electoral victory.
He said: “That we have gotten this judgement by the Supreme court, is by the grace of Allah. We know we have so many detractors. I’ve been away for eight days, I have not left Bauchi and stayed in Abuja for more than three days but I was there to make sure that your mandate was not scuttled.
“I am a warrior, I come from a village, from a royal family, from the family of ulamas and knowledgeable people. I am one of you, I am not a migrant, I am not a trader, my responsibility is service to the people, that is my inheritance, that is my common wealth.
“You have shown me love, you gave me trust and I will not sleep because I did not sleep for seven days and I made sure that we had this mandate back.
“Some people connived, former leaders of Bauchi to go and perpetuate lies against me to make sure that the leadership of the nation will see me as a problem, but you can see the leaders have their own way of handling issues.”
Mohammed, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, expressed gratitude to the Nigerian judiciary especially the Supreme Court for affirming his election based on the rule of law.
He also expressed gratitude to the President Bola Tinubu led federal government for believing in good governance and “allowing the rule of law to prevail irrespective of the lies and mischief perpetuated against me.”
“I am grateful to the Vice President and all our colleagues at the federal level. No amount of mischief will bring us down. We are dedicating this victory to you and we are assuring you that henceforth, nobody will ulterior motive will come from nowhere and lead you (as Governor), by the grace of God.
“Here (in Bauchi) we have enough human capital. We are praying to God to allow us have our successor, a successor that will continue with the good governance that we have started in the areas of health, education and infrastructure,” he stated.
Meanwhile, thousands of supporters of the Governor throng the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, to welcome him on his return to the State after the Supreme Court’s judgement which validated his election.
The mammoth crowd which comprised of men, women and children carried placards with various congratulatory messages to the Governor, banners and many others, while some of the supporters also played drums and danced to the music.
The chattered aircraft which conveyed the Governor landed at the Airport at exactly 12.15pm on Saturday.
The Governor was accompanied by his wife, Aisha Mohammed; his Chief of Staff, Aminu Gamawa; Commissioners and Special Advisers including party stalwarts.
Upon arrival, the Governor and his entourage, were received at the Airport by top officials of the State Government and bigwigs of the ruling PDP led his deputy, Mohammed Auwal-Jatau and his wife.
From the Airport, the Governor went on a rally round some major roads within the metropolis, alighting from his official vehicle into an open truck which led him round the metropolis.
From there, he went through Ran road to the Central Market roundabout, through the Emir’s Place to the Ministry of Education roundabout. From there, he went through the Nasarawa road to the Central Bank roundabout and straight to the Government House.
All through the places he went through, there were hundreds of people waiting in front of their houses and shops to catch a glimpse of the Governor, who kept waving and smiling at them in return.
There were also music that were played from different vehicles as the convoy moved round the town.
It took the Governor over three hours to get to the Government House because of the mammoth crowds who were in cars, tricycles, motorcycles and also on foot.
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