By Khalid Idris Doya All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi has reminded Governor Bala Mohammed that EFCC and ICPC are patien...
By Khalid Idris Doya
All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi has reminded Governor Bala Mohammed that EFCC and ICPC are patiently waiting for 2027 to continue the prosecution of the criminal cases filed against him before his unfortunate election in 2019.
Pointing out that Bala’s bail expires on May 29, 2027, the Bauchi APC wondered how Governor Bala Mohammed, now saddled with power can continue perpetuating other economic crimes, thereby adding salt to his financial scam injuries when served as minister of the FCT, Abuja.
A press statement issued by the APC State Publicity Committee Chairman in Bauchi, Saadu Umar yesterday was tagged “Re: On Yusuf Tuggar’s Groundless Accusations Against Governor Bala Mohammed” in which it noted that the Governor been hypocritically, and opportunistically, anathematised the economic policies of President Tinubu while enjoying the gains.
The statement recalled that Governor Bala got ₦133.18 Billion from Federation account by the end of Q3 2024, according to the Budget Performance Report 2024, and last October and November, Bala got another windfall of ₦18 Billion taking his total to ₦150 Billion in 11 months.
APC said: “Besides, Bala borrowed another ₦100 Billion! And what did Bala do with the money? Mismanagement. Misappropriation: Here’s why. He paid ₦11.7 Billion to a “Financial Consultant” without appropriation, according to Bala’s Budget Report. This Consultant cornered over ₦21 Billion in the last two years. And, Bala built big beautiful white hacienda for himself”.
The APC in Bauchi expressed regret that “while Bala built his house, he left many primary schools decrepit, in a very bad repair, all over the State, like the primary school I attended, with our schools, hospitals suffer the same fate, stressing that Bala couldn’t employ healthcare professionals to carter for our healthcare needs.”
“Only 10.9% of hospitals have medical doctors in the entire State and only 19% have a nurse.”
The statement further revealed, “Bala prefers to spend Bauchi money elsewhere — boondoggles, white elephant projects, mismanagement — ₦31.7 Billion spent on corrupt and unaccounted security votes, over ₦38 Billion Government House overhead costs, according to Bala’s Budget Report”.
"And, corruption and self-dealing involving Adda Nigeria Ltd to the tune of ₦4.6 Billion, according to reports by Premium Times and others. Bala can continue to live in denial of Tuggar’s land grabbing charge, but the record speaks for itself.
“For instance, Bala, his Commissioners and lackeys grabbed hundreds of hectares of land in Toro LGA particularly in Jama’a/Zaranda Ward. As FCT Minister, Bala was indicted on “land racketeering and corruption” charges involving ₦1.6 Trillion according to Premium Times of March 28, 2019”.
“Further, ICPC has accused Bala of grabbing the land of Federal Ministry of Agriculture situated at Plot 298 Wuse District, Abuja, expropriating the land for himself, his family and Zinariya International School. (ICPC Bulletin, June 16, 2020).”
“Moreover, Governor Bala’s public service legacy is ignoble, marked by nepotism: two of his siblings helm SUBEB and PHCDA; and neopatrimonialism, he privatised to his family and friends many choice assets of Bauchi State, like the Meat Factory, Furniture Company and Galambi Cattle Ranch. (Daily Post Sept, 2022).”
Malam Sa'adu Umar further explained that Bala's legacy is soiled by credible allegations of bribery, corruption and racketeering, saying "Those really desperate for power are those who are afraid of losing immunity the only thing stopping EFCC and ICPC from holding him to account for his corruption, racketeering and land grabbing".
“Bala should leave Tinubu and Tuggar alone and focus more on the people of Bauchi and less on himself. The windfall he receives monthly, fruits of Tinubu's policies, must be spent on education, healthcare, poverty alleviation and human capital development. Not mismanagement or misappropriation.”
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