Intervene now, stop political intimidation of Governor Mohammed – Bauchi ALGON pleads with President Tinubu

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By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi

Bauchi State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), has pleaded with Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, to as a matter of urgency, intervene and stop what it described as political intimidation of the State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed and his administration.

The plea was made by ALGON, during a Press conference held on Sunday in Bauchi, addressed by the Chapter Chairman, Mahmood Babamaji, Chairman of Bauchi Local Government Area.

ALGON however, observed with great dismay, the continuous intimidation, investigation and arbitrary arrest of government officials under Governor Mohammed, all under the pretence of fighting corruption.

According to him, “All of us the, Executive Chairpersons of the Twenty LGCs of Bauchi State under the auspices of the “Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON)”, Bauchi state chapter are compelled to address the press today on certain political developments that affects our principal and Mentor, Distinguished Sen Dr Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed CON, Kauran Daular Usmaniya, the democratically elected Governor of Bauchi state.”

He stressed that,”This press briefing does not in any way seeks to undermine the legitimacy or constitutional duties of any agency of the federal government but simply to put certain records straight for Nigerians to note.”

ALGON observed that, “The scenario continues with the recent arrest and investigation of some government officials by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the attempt to associate Governor Bala Mohammed and his administration with terrorism which we considered defamatory, dangerous, and capable of undermining public trust and national security efforts.”

According to ALGON, “Governor Bala Mohammed, as a true Democrat, has always respected the sanctity of the Federal Government and its institutions, collaborating with the Federal Government in achieving success, peace and stability, making Bauchi State as the gate way to the North East becoming the most peaceful state in not just the North East sub region But the North generally.

“As Chairpersons of the Twenty LGCs of Bauchi state, who have the privy knowledge of security situations in our respective local government areas, we category debunked the alledged terrorism accusation levelled against our Principal, Distinguished Sen Dr Bala Mohammed whose two term tenure in Bauchi state is characterized by deepening stakeholding, inclusion and strong commitment to peace and peaceful coexistence,” It stressed

ALGON added that,”This could be attested to by His Excellency’s style of leadership recruitment where all the ethno-religious groups (tribes and religion) across the State are part and parcel of the administration, holding vintage political positions in the government as against the past practices.”

According to the ALGON,”Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has publicly stated that he is being subjected to political intimidation and witch-hunting for exercising his constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of political association, particularly his refusal to defect to the ruling political party, the APC at the federal level.”

It stressed that,”Of grave constitutional concern are allegations that federal anti-corruption agencies, notably the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are being influenced, deployed and used to harass the Bauchi State government officials mainly for political reasons, rather than pursuant to impartial, evidence-based investigations.”

It added that,”As stated earlier, what concerns us most as leaders at the grassroots is the reported practice of invoking, directly or indirectly, the name of the Executive Governor of Bauchi State in criminal processes, in clear disregard of the constitutional immunity conferred on the office of the Governor under Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“We are all living witnesses to Governor Bala Mohammed’s commitment to peace through community policing in partnership with the established conventional security agencies in Bauchi state and it is no doubt yielding positive results,” It noted.

ALGON added that,”It is an undisputed fact that no public officer is above the law, and it remains a settled constitutional doctrine that law-enforcement agencies must not be coerx ,weaponised or deployed as instruments of political coercion, vendetta, or intimidation as it is the case in Bauchi state.”

According to ALGON,”In fact, Governor Bala Mohammed command a lot of respect and massive support from across the twenty local government areas of Bauchi state and Nigeria giving his administration’s many achievements which has changed the development trajectory of Bauchi state, Carrying every tribes and religion along in the scheme of things.”

It added that,”In fact under Governor Bala Mohammed, Bauchi state is Nigeria’s “Home of Peace and Hospitality.”

The ALGON stressed that, “It is in record and the federal government knows that in recognition of Governor Bala Mohammed’s outstanding performances in the critical sectors of the economy, he is a proud recipient of Three different Awards which include, the Award as the “Best Governor in Rural Infrastructure, ” during late President Mohammadu Buhari, the Best Governor in ” Urban Renewal Projects” under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and just recently the presidency awarded Governor Bala with ” Good Governance Award” all in the Presidential Villa, demonstrating and appreciating Governor Bala Mohammed’s outstanding performances in delivering Dividends of democracy to the people.

“And we asked rhetorically; is it the same Bala Mohammed that received such numerous awards from the Presidency that is being maligned and portrait negatively just because of political reasons?” it added.

ALGON then posed that right thinking Nigerians should please Answer.

ALGON declared that,”We the Executive Chairpersons of the Twenty LGCs of Bauchi state unequivocally reiterate our support and loyalty to the Bala Mohammed led administration for providing people oriented leadership to the good people of Bauchi state and we called on the federal government to desist from harassing or intimidating government officials for political reasons as such actions, undermines the rule of law, the right to fair hearing, the principle of separation of powers, and Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.”

According to ALGON,”For avoidance of doubt, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State enjoys full constitutional immunity under Section 308 of the Constitution and we wondered why and how his name would be mentioned and addressed in the court.”

ALGON called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “please intervene by not allowing some disgruntle politicians hiding under the guise of the federal government to truncate democratic values, rules and regulations as our Governor Remains law abiding, the promoter of peace and stability as well as democratic dividends.”

It added, “Furthermore, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should be weary of the disgruntle politicians under his government that are not in the APC nor PDP or any formidable political party in the country but are moving around to forment political tension, detrimental to the political and Democratic processes in Nigeria.”

ALGON in Bauchi state described these set of politicians as public liability who are abusing federal institutions for their personal gains that Mr President should immediately disengaged from his government so that political stability and success can be achieved.