A file photo of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has approved the appointment of Dr Aminu Gamawa as the new Chief of Staff.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, announced this in a statement on Monday.
Gidado stated that the appointment of Gamawa, who was appointed as the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in 2019, was with immediate effect.
He noted that Gamawa hails from Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, and he is a legal practitioner, teacher, policy expert, and public servant.
The new Chief of Staff has worked across a wide range of organisations, government agencies, educational institutions, and non– profitable entities.
He also served as the State Focal Person for World Bank Projects, Chairman of Bauchi State COVID-19 Economic Recovery Committee 2020, Vice Chairman of Bauchi State World Bank States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS), Regional Representative of Technical Working Group on Subnational Ease of Doing Business, among others.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has dissolved the State Executive Council.
This decision was contained in a statement by the governor’s special adviser on media and publicity, Mukhtar Gidado.
According to the communique, the dissolution is with immediate effect.
Those affected include the Secretary to the State Government, Sabi’u Baba; the governor’s Chief of Staff, Ladan Salihu, 21 Commissioners, and Special Advisers.
File photo of the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed
The Bauchi State Government has placed four Local Government Areas in the state on high-security alert.
Briefing journalists after an emergency Security Council meeting on Monday, the Secretary to the State Government, Sabi’u Baba identified the local councils as Zaki, Dambam, Darazo and Gamawa.
“We have noticed attempts to dismantle MTN facilities and such things are usually done by criminal elements in an attempt to make security impossible in that area so that they may move in to and perpetrate their activities, that is one major threat that has been identified but luckily they have been apprehended and the equipment have been recovered. So our eyes are open to identifying this kind of challenge,” he said.
He said criminal elements have found their way into the state from neighbouring Yobe State.
The invaders were reported to have come in with weapons and five persons have already been arrested by the police after attempting to dismantle telecommunication masts.
Baba said the state government will commence immediate profiling of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) trooping into the state to prevent the resettlement of members of Boko Haram terrorists migrating from other north-eastern states.
He added, “Security is the responsibility of all of us. We do not expect that the security agencies alone will tackle this problem. So, all hands will be on deck including our traditional institutions, religious groups.
“It will be expected that we will continue to profile whoever is coming into Bauchi state. I can tell you that some people came with weapons and it is profiling that will help us stem that kind of problem.
“Bauchi is sharing a border with Yobe in four local governments of Zaki, Dambam, Darazo and Gamawa. The implication of what has happened in Geidam is that there’s a lot of influx of people moving into Bauchi state from Yobe.
“Of course that will put a lot of strain on our facilities and resources and considering the kind of movement, the outcome of Boko Haram activity, the security implication there is also very high. The meeting today was to examine the implication of that, identify the security threats and plan on how to contain them.”
Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has delivered the highest victory story in the state under his watch.
Ayade stated this on Monday while receiving his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed at the Government House in Calabar.
Mohammed is in Cross River State on a solidarity visit following an internal PDP party crisis ongoing in the state.
Addressing the party faithful, Governor Ayade said though people are looking up to him, he is not desperate selecting his successor in 2023.
“Under my watch, PDP has delivered the highest victory story in the history of Cross River State. So it is not now that somebody can discuss what structures or strategy I need,” he said.
“Your visit, therefore, is a watershed and our private discussions very clear to me. I do know there are a lot of people looking up to me for 2023.
“I can’t afford to make a decision just for my sake. I am not desperate in putting a successor but I am desperate for their well-being.”
On his part, Governor Mohammed said the need for the party to remain United cannot be overemphasized especially as the country gradually tilts towards the next political era.
Cross River Governor, Ben Ayade speaks at the Government House in Calabar on March 22, 2021.
He however commended Ayade for connecting to the people of the state politically.
“You are inexorably connected in terms of perception, vision and where we want to take the country together and because our forefathers have been together in this kind of thing, we are connected intellectually and politically.
“There must be structures put in place to make sure that the affairs and aspirations of all Nigerians, especially our leaders are reached,” he said.
Governor Bala Mohammed has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lost the last presidential election due to manipulations by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in conjunction with the electoral umpire (INEC) and security operatives.
The Bauchi State Governor’s assertion stems from a review of the 2019 elections by the opposition party.
In the last election, President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC won his main challenger, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP with over 3 million votes, however, Mr. Mohammed says what transpired was maneuvered.
“The general impression within the party and within the country is that we actually won the election and that we lost to a lot of fraud, to a lot of manipulations either by the electoral umpire or by the security operatives,” Governor Mohammed stated on Thursday.
While appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the governor who also serves as chairman of PDP’s 2019 Elections Review Committee, stated that a full report has been presented by his team.
He, however, noted that the party at the moment is not only weighing the alleged manipulations that led to the botching of their 2019 ambition but are looking inward to ensure that internal politics will not hamper future progress.
“We are not only looking at the other side, but we are also looking at ourselves, looking at our internal politics, and giving a level playing field for the youths and women who are a majority in terms of demographics and in terms of interest.
“And of course, making sure that the electoral umpire, the INEC that is now instituting some reforms will also become impartial,” Governor Mohammed revealed.
We had a lot of evidence (of manipulation) we tendered but they were not accepted – Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on why the PDP lost in 2019. #PoliticsToday#CTVTweetpic.twitter.com/EeyLFuz4AI
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has asked the Federal Government to end the ravaging insurgency in the north-east region.
He made this call on Wednesday during a fourth meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum in Bauchi State.
“The recent escalation in the activities of terrorists despite the exploits and sacrifices by members of our gallant armed forces is thus worrisome and challenging,” he said.
“The mindless massacre of 100 farmers in the Zambari village of Borno State, the spate of attacks and kidnappings in various states of the zone, particularly Taraba State all points to the need to rejig the security architecture deployed to counter the criminals.
“While the sanctity of human lives is universally acknowledged, as you have seen, terrorism, insurgency, banditry, etc are an ill-wind that blows nobody any good. Insecurity is like a virus, more often than not, it does not recognise ethnic, religious, gender, age, or other diversities,” he said.
He also called for the resettlement of the displaced persons in the Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) camp, noting that the move is necessary to ameliorate their pains and restore hope to them that has been shattered.
File photo of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed
The governor wants the Nigerian government to revamp agricultural activities that have been greatly affected by the insurgency in the north-east to avoid famine in the region.
To Governor Mohammed, regardless of the security challenges in the region, governors of the zone have the “political will to not only restore hope but the future of our traumatised children and generations unborn.”
The Bauchi governor also reiterated a call made by his Kaduna State counterpart, Nasir El-Rufai, and other Nigerians for the creation of state police to tackle the myriad of security challenges in the country.
Speaking further, Mohammed said leaders have failed to tackle insecurity, adding that many Nigerians have resorted to self-help.
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom embraces his Bauchi counterpart, Bala Mohammed following their reconciliation on March 2, 2021 in Rivers State.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed and his Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom have settled their differences over comments made on AK-47 amid the security situation in the country.
Mohammed had on February 12 said Fulani herders have no option but to carry AK-47 for self-defence because they are being attacked and killed by cattle rustlers.
He also condemned South West, South-East Governors, and also Governor Ortom over the manner in which they are handling farmer-herder clashes.
Governor Ortom had on February 22 responded to his Bauchi counterpart, accusing him of being a terrorist based on his utterances supporting herdsmen from carrying AK-47 to defend themselves.
Ortom also accused Mohammed of being a part of those threatening his life stressing that the Bauchi governor should be held responsible if anything happens to him.
Following the altercation between the two governors, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under whose platform they were elected into office, waded into their conflict.
Also, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his Adamawa counterpart, Ahmadu Fintiri, initiated reconciliation efforts.
The efforts seemed to have paid off on Tuesday with governors Ortom and Mohammed embracing each other in Rivers State.
After a closed-door meeting at Wike’s private residence in Port Harcourt, the governors insisted that their arguments over a comment made by the Bauchi governor on the bearing of arms by herders were for the good of the country, not to cause an ethnic crisis.
See phots below:
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom embraces his Bauchi counterpart, Bala Mohammed following their reconciliation on March 2, 2021 in Rivers State.
A photo collage of Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it has waded into the current disagreement between Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on the issue of herdsmen who carry AK-47.
The party in a series of tweet on Monday also called for calm between both parties.
It said, “@OfficialPDPNig assures that it has waded into the rift between Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, and his Benue State counterpart, Governor Samuel Ortom.
“@OfficialPDPNig calls for calm as the internal reconciliation mechanism introduced by the hierarchy of the party between the two governors subsists.
“PDP however urges the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address the escalated security challenges in our country,” PDP said.
Governor Ortom had earlier on Monday accused his Bauchi State counterpart, Mohammed, of being a terrorist based on his utterances supporting herdsmen from carrying AK-47 to defend themselves.
Ortom also accused Mohammed of being a part of those threatening his life stressing that the Bauchi governor should be held responsible if anything happens to him.
He reacted to Governor Mohammed’s statement which said herders can carry AK-47 to defend themselves noting that “his recent outburst that Fulani herdsmen are justified for carrying AK-47 to protect themselves. I don’t know where the constitution of this country allows that.”
The Benue Governor, therefore, called on Governor Mohammed to render an unreserved apology and learn from the provisions of the constitution that, land both territorial, forest, and aquatic, are vested on the governor of a state who holds them in trust, instead of indulging in inciting Fulani herdsmen against innocent Nigerians.
Bala Mohammed’s AK-47 Comment
Governor Bala Mohammed recently defended his comment about armed herders, explaining that he used AK-47 as a figure of speech for protection.
“It is a figure of speech to show you the despondence, the desperation and frustration, and the agony that this particular person is exposed to by his own people, by his own tribe and by other tribes who have all seen him as a criminal and therefore, he has the inalienable right to protect himself,” the governor said during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
This sparked more reactions.
His comment had earlier triggered a wave of condemnation from his counterparts and Nigerians alike, increasing calls for the prohibition of open-grazing.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his Ondo counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, were quick to knock the Bauchi governor’s statement. Akeredolu had described it as uncalled for, arguing that it could further escalate tensions in the West African nation.
We are leading with updates on the farmers-herdsmen crisis and the very pertinent question of whether Nigeria will soon exit the second wave of the pandemic.
A file photo of Benue state Governor Samuel Ortom
Governors Continue War Of Words
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Monday described his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed as a terrorist based on his apparent support for herdsmen who move around with AK-47.
Mr. Mohammed had said herdsmen had no option but to wield AK-47s to protect themselves, due to the security situation in the country. After drawing criticism from several quarters, including from Mr. Ortom, the Bauchi Governor said he had used AK-47 as a figure of speech for protection.
Governor Bala argues that herdsmen are exposed and need to protect themselves.
But Mr. Ortom’s latest comment shows he remains unhappy with Mr. Mohammed’s position.
Quote: “I am beginning to think that my brother, the governor of Bauchi State is part of the terrorist Fulani organisation that is terrorising this country,” Mr. Ortom said at his Monday press conference.
Context: The farmers-herdsmen conflict is an inflammable issue. Farming-centric states like Benue have pushed back against the free movement of cattle, but herdsmen communities, mostly Fulanis, claim they have been unfairly targeted for practicing their nomadic lifestyle. The conflict has devolved into various forms of violence and governments, both states and federal, are exploring a number of options – ranching, ban on open grazing – to tackle the problem.
Babagana Zulum: The Borno State Governor said the time has come to transform livestock production in the country as a way to tackle the farmers-herdsmen crisis.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi made an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today on February 22, 2021.
Sheikh Gumi Makes Case For Fulani-Herdsmen Bandits
Since he met with Fulani-herdsmen bandits in the bush, popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has attracted national attention.
In an exclusive interview with Channels Television on Monday, the cleric reiterated his calls for the government to grant repentant bandits amnesty and reintegrate them into society.
Gumi’s stance has been roundly criticised for pampering criminality, but he maintains that the bandits are a victim of circumstances.
Quote: “I think it is a population that is pushed by circumstances into criminality,” he said. “And this is what we should look, let’s remove the pressure, let’s remove the things that made them into criminals because we have lived thousands of years without any problems with the nomadic herdsmen. They are peaceful people. But something happened that led them to this.”
The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire.
Nigeria To Exit Second Wave Of COVID-19?
Health Minister Osagie Ehanire, on Monday, suggested that the country may soon exit the second wave of the pandemic as the rate of new COVID-19 infections slows down.
“We are, however, not drawing conclusions yet and certainly not declaring victory, but rather watching developments as they unfold nationally and internationally, ready to make use of comparative advantages that may emerge,” the Minister said.
On Monday, Nigeria recorded 542 new cases of the virus and 23 deaths, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has said the country will soon receive four million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
What else is happening?
Aminu Tambuwal: The Sokoto State Governor has called on the need for Nigerians to live in peace with one another irrespective of their belief, tribe, or religion. He made the call while assenting to Sokoto’s hisbah law.
President Muhammadu Buhari met with Senate President Ahmed Lawan at the State House in Abuja on February 22, 2021. Bayo Omoboriowo/State House
Niger State: The 53 abducted travellers who recently regained their freedom have been reunited with their families. They have also been sharing their stories.
Rivers State: Gunmen have abducted a lecturer with the University of Port Harcourt, Dr. Jones Ayuwo, and a first-class traditional ruler in the state, Aaron Ikuru of Ikuru Town.
Ayo Fayose: The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted permission to former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, to travel abroad for further medical treatment. He must however return to defend himself in corruption charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the court said.
DRC: The government has blamed a Rwandan Hutu rebel group for the killing of Italy’s ambassador to the Central Africa nation.
China: Canadian ministers have voted to label China’s treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang as genocide, a move angrily slammed by Beijing as a “malicious provocation”.
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has accused his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed of being a part of those threatening his life.
Ortom made the accusation on Monday while briefing journalists in Makurdi, Benue State capital.
He also accused Governor Mohammed of being a terrorist by supporting illegal arms wielding foreign herdsmen.
“I want to think that, with what he said and what those herdsmen wrote to me and said that they were going to assassinate me, Bala Mohammed is also part of it, with what he has said.
Governor Ortom aslo called on Governor Mohammed to render an unreserved apology to Nigerians.
“And if anything happens to me, I don’t want anybody to be in doubt, Bala Mohammed should be held responsible. Especially his last week outing after the condemnable remarks he made about Fulani carrying AK-47 and living anywhere in Nigeria.
“He came back to say Ortom is responsible for the hatred against Fulani men and I regard this as a way of vilifying me and profiling me towards assassination. He wants to instigate the Fulani people against me. I am not against Fulani people, they are in Benue State and they remain here,” Ortom said.
He also called on Governor Mohammed to render an unreserved apology to Nigerians and learn from the provisions of the constitution that, land both territorial, forest, and aquatic, are vested on the governor of a state who holds them in trust, instead of indulging in inciting Fulani herdsmen against innocent Nigerians.
“I think the governor of Bauchi State, my brother, Governor Bala Mohammed should just come out and apologise to Nigerians,” Governor Ortom said.
A photo collage of Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom on Monday accused his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, of being a terrorist based on his utterances supporting herdsmen from carrying AK-47 to defend themselves.
Governor Ortom who made this accusation while addressing journalists in Makurdi, Benue State capital said Governor Mohammed must be a terrorist for supporting illegal arms wielding by foreign herdsmen.
“I wouldn’t want to be joining issues with my brother, friend, and colleague Bauchi Governor. But since he has continued to vilify, intimidate and blackmail me. It is said that silence is consent. I am compelled to respond to him.
“I am beginning to think that my brother, the governor of Bauchi State is part of the terrorist Fulani organisation that is terrorising this country.
“Why do I say this? This is the same governor who took the oath of office to protect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This constitution does not leave room for allowing foreign herdsmen to come in without valid papers.
“This is a man who says that a Fulani man is a global man and can come in from anywhere and enter Nigeria. It is quite disappointing to hear a governor who took the oath of office …maybe he should go back and check the oath of office he took to check maybe the constitution gives room for foreign terrorist Fulani herdsmen to come into Nigeria,” Ortom said.
He also reacted to Governor Mohammed’s statement which says herders can carry AK-47 to defend themselves noting that “his recent outburst that Fulani herdsmen are justified for carrying AK-47 to protect themselves. I don’t know where the constitution of this country allows that.”
The Benue Governor there called on Governor Mohammed to render an unreserved apology and learn from the provisions of the constitution that, land both territorial, forest, and aquatic, are vested on the governor of a state who holds them in trust, instead of indulging in inciting Fulani herdsmen against innocent Nigerians.
AK-47 A Figure Of Speech?
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State last week Friday defended his comment about armed herders, explaining that he used AK-47 as a figure of speech for protection.
“It is a figure of speech to show you the despondence, the desperation and frustration and the agony that this particular person is exposed to by his own people, by his own tribe and by other tribes who have all seen him as a criminal and therefore, he has the inalienable right to protect himself,” the governor said during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
A Flurry Of Condemnation
Governor Bala Mohammed’s comment on armed herdsmen had earlier triggered a wave of condemnation from his counterparts and Nigerians alike, increasing calls for the prohibition of open-grazing.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his Ondo counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, were quick to knock the Bauchi governor’s statement. Akeredolu had described it as uncalled for, arguing that it could further escalate tensions in the West African nation.
“For what purpose? Bala Mohammed has even poured more petrol into the fire because his speech is unexpected of him. It will become very serious and nobody will be spared,” Akeredolu, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), noted.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed on Thursday said Fulani herders have no option but to carry AK-47 for self-defence because they are being attacked and killed by cattle rustlers.
He also condemned South West, South-East Governors, and also Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State over the manner in which they are handling farmer-herder clashes.
“The Fulani man is practicing the tradition of trans-human, pastoralism, he has been exposed to the battery of the forests, the animals, and now, the cattle rustlers, who carry guns, kill him and take away his commonwealth – that is his cows – he had no option than to carry Ak-47 because the society and the government are not protecting him.
“It is not his fault, it is the fault of the government and the people; you don’t criminalise all of them because in every tribe there are criminals. You should be very sensitive. We have to be careful,” Governor Mohammed said.
While condemning his colleagues in South-West and South-East over the manner in which they are handling the herders’ crisis, Mohammed said these governors are not accomodating other tribes.
He faulted the quit notice given to Fulani herders in some southern states, particularly Ondo, pointing out that the “southern governors are wrong.”
“On the herders-farmers clashes, you have seen what our colleagues in the South-West are doing and some of them in South-East. Some of us told them with all modesty and humility – you are wrong.
“But the person that is most wrong is the Governor of Benue State, my brother and my colleague, Governor Ortom; he started all these. If you don’t accommodate other tribes we are also accommodating your tribes in Bauchi and other places.
“We have so many Tiv people working and farming in Alkaleri, farming in Tafawa Balewa, farming in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi; has anyone asked them to go? We have not, because it is their constitutional right to be there.
“We have Yoruba people in Bauchi for over 150 years, even before the birth of Nigeria. Nobody has told them to go; some of them have risen to become permanent secretaries in Gombe, Bauchi, and Borno,” Governor Mohammed added.
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom had earlier accused the Federal Government of failing to secure the country by being bias in handling cases of attacks allegedly carried out by armed herdsmen.
Ortom who resumed duty on Wednesday, February 3 after recovering from COVID-19 infection reacted to the recent outcry against the atrocities allegedly committed by herdsmen ranging from kidnapping, murder, rape, destruction of farmland among others.
He urged the Federal Government to take quick action before the nation descends into crisis.
