Tag: Bala Mohammed

Bala Mohammed, Abubakar, Others Sued Over Double Nominations

File photo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

 

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed and a former Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar and others have been sued by the People’s Redemption Party over their alleged unlawful nominations for the 2023 general elections.

The party is asking the Federal High Court Abuja, to disqualify the governor, ex-Air Chief and Senator Haliru Jika from participating in the 2023 governorship election in the state on specific grounds of alleged double nominations from their respective political parties.

READ ALSO: There Is No Justice In Nigeria – Gumi

The request forms part of the prayers being sought in three separate suits by the PRP and filed through its lawyer, Chris Udeoyibo.

In the suits, the plaintiff claims that Bala Mohammed, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT);  Abubakar’s running mate, Shehu Musa and Jika (the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party – NNPP) violated the Electoral Act by allegedly engaging in double nomination.

The PRP is contending that having participated as a candidate in the May  28, 2022, presidential primary of the PDP and later as a candidate in the PDP’s governorship primary in Bauchi State on June 4, 2022, Mohammed is in violation of Section 177(c) of the Constitution as well as sections 84(13) and 115(d) of the Electoral Act 2022.

It wants the court to among others, restrain INEC from recognising Mohammed as the Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the next general elections and to bar him from further parading himself as the PDP candidate for the governorship election.

In a supporting affidavit, the PRP governorship candidate in Bauchi State, Ahmed Umar Farouk stated that having participated in both primaries, “during which he signed two nomination papers or result forms in respect of two different constituencies at the same time in breach of Section 177(c) of the Constitution as well as sections 84 (13) and 115 (d) of the Electoral Act 2022,  INEC should be restrained from allowing Mohammed and his party participate in the next governorship election in the state.

Farouk added that no law allows a candidate, including Mohammed to sign two nomination papers or results forms for both presidential and governorship primaries, which are two constituencies, at the same time and in the same election period in the 2023 general elections.

The PRP also wants the court to disqualify Abubakar and Musa as the governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next governorship election.

The PRP argued that Musa violated the Constitution and Electoral Act by allegedly participating in the House of Representatives primary held by the APC on May 28, 2022, which he won and subsequently, in the governorship primary held on June 4, 2022, where he became nominated as the deputy governorship candidate.

It also wants the court to among others, void the nomination of Jika (who currently represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District) on the grounds that he was not a valid member of the NNPP when he was nominated as the party’s governorship candidate.

Jika was said to have participated in the May 26 governorship primary of the APC in Bauchi State which was won by Abubakar but later defected to the NNPP to pick the governorship ticket.

The PRP stated, in a supporting affidavit that since Jika was a registered member of the APC in the Kafin Madaki ward, Ganjuwa Local Government, Bauchi State as when the APC held its primary, his name could not have been in the register of NNPP members, which the party is required to submit to INEC 30 days before its primary election.

The suits are yet to be assigned for hearing.

Bauchi Govt Declares June 27 Public Holiday For PVC Registration

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed speaks at the Government House in Bauchi State.

 

The Bauchi State Government has declared Monday, June 27 as a public holiday to enable eligible voters who are yet to register for their Permanent Voters Card to participate in the ongoing registration exercise.

This is contained in a press statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Mukhtar Gidado.

READ ALSO: Orubebe Holds Private Meeting With Wike After Dumping PDP

According to Gidado, the state-wide public holiday is to “enable citizens of the state who attained the age of 18 years after the 2019 general elections or lost their permanent voters card or even changed their location to take advantage of the ongoing INEC continuous voters registration exercise and obtain their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs).”

Governor Mohammed is also worried about the low participation of eligible voters for the exercise and he is directing all political appointees and other public office holders to mobilize registrants in their respective electoral wards for the exercise.

“Governor Bala Mohammed equally expressed serious concern on the low turn-out of eligible voters and therefore directed all hon. commissioners, special advisers, senior special assistants, board chairmen, directors-general, executive secretaries, permanent secretaries, and other public office holders, to proceed to their respective electoral wards to mobilize eligible registrants to come out en-mass and register.”

Wike Receives Bala Mohammed After Peter Obi’s Visit

Wike and Bala contested the PDP presidential primary election.

 

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Wednesday paid a visit to his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, at his private residence in Port Harcourt.

This was moments after the former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, met with Governor Wike at his residence.

Both meetings were held separately behind closed doors.

None of them also spoke to journalists about the purpose of the meetings as no media coverage was allowed.

Obi and Bala’s visit was held four days after the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, was also received by Governor Wike at night.

The visit comes after Peter Obi was received by Governor Wike.

 

All the visitors and their host were presidential aspirants in the last primary conducted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While Umahi was a presidential aspirant on the platform of the APC, Bala Mohammed and Nyesom Wike contested on the platform of the PDP.

Peter Obi, who was seeking the ticket of the PDP, pulled out of the race mid-way to pick the presidential ticket of the Labour Party (LP).

 

Political consultations are expected to be high in the run-off to the 2023 elections as political parties have concluded the selection of party flag bearers and running mates for the elections.

Bala Mohammed Gets PDP Ticket To Rerun For Bauchi Governorship

A file photo of Governor Bala Mohammed.

 

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for the 2023 governorship election.

Mohammed had been in the race for the PDP presidential ticket which he lost to Atiku Abubakar.

READ ALSO: Aspirants Ask Court To Nullify All PDP Primaries Conducted In Oyo

He emerged the governorship candidate at a fresh primary conducted in the state following the withdrawal of former candidate, Ibrahim Kashim.

Mohammed was the sole candidate for the election as delegates from 20 local government areas cast their ballot.

Reacting to his victory, Mohammed said he has put the presidential primary behind him and is ready to work for the success of the party from top to bottom.

Bala Mohammed Reappoints Ex-PDP Governorship Candidate As Bauchi SSG

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed speaks at the Government House in Bauchi State.

 

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has reappointed Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim as the Secretary to the State Government.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Mukhtar Gidado, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Mohammed.

READ ALSO: Bauchi Governor May Reclaim Ticket As PDP Candidate Withdraws

“His Excellency Sen. Bala A. Mohammed, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State has approved the re-appointment of Barr. Ibrahim Mohammed Kashim as the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government,” the statement read.

“His re-appointment is informed by his track record of sincerity, loyalty, commitment, and wealth of experience in the discharge of assigned responsibilities.

“Barr. Ibrahim Mohammed Kashim was the immediate past Secretary to the Bauchi State Government. The appointment takes immediate effect.”

Kashim had earlier resigned his position as SSG to contest the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he clinched the party’s ticket.

This is to enable Governor Mohammed to seek the PDP’s presidential ticket. He, however, lost to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar last Saturday.

After clinching the party’s governorship ticket a few days ago in Bauchi, Kashim gave up his ambition to Governor Mohammed who seeks re-election in the North-Eastern state under the PDP.

Bauchi Governor May Reclaim Ticket As PDP Candidate Withdraws

A file photo of Governor Bala Mohammed.

 

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, is likely to emerge as the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

He is seeking to get the party’s ticket to be re-elected for a second term in office after losing his bid to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari as the next Nigerian leader in 2023.

The coast seems clear for him as the PDP in Bauchi State is set to hold a fresh governorship primary following the withdrawal of its candidate, Kashim Shettima who emerged unopposed during the governorship primary held last Wednesday.

The PDP Publicy Secretary Bauchi State, Inuwa Zainabari, confirmed the development.

He said Kashim Shettima has since given a written correspondence confirming his withdrawal from the race but his reasons for forfeiting his ticket are not clear.

According to him, the party is making preparations for a fresh primary election and they are proposing Saturday as the new date.

The publicity secretary says he cannot confirm for now if there would be other aspirants who may be contesting alongside Bala.

He added that the party is abiding by the procedures recognised by the law, adding that it is either they organise a fresh primary or go for a direct substitution option.

Buhari Surrounds Himself With Liars, Sycophants – Bala Mohammed

A file photo of Governor Bala Mohammed.

 

Bauchi State Governor and presidential aspirant, Bala Mohammed, believes President Muhammadu Buhari has failed the country because he surrounds himself with liars and sycophants.

Mohammed expressed this belief on Sunday while campaigning in Katsina State ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential primaries.

“Katsina is a state that produces good leaders for the country,” he told PDP delegates in the state. “What late Umaru Musa Yar’adua of the blessed memory did was the only thing that makes us proud.

READ ALSO: PDP Blasts Emefiele Over ‘Heart Attack’ Comment, Insists He Can’t Continue As CBN Governor

“Unfortunately, (President Buhari) has attached himself with a bunch of liars, sycophants and bad people because he was a soldier and he doesn’t know people’s attitudes, he doesn’t have knowledge of government job; he has never entered villages. He thought everybody is trustworthy.

“But we can differentiate between good and the bad people.

“We have to correct all the mistakes the president did because all eyes are on us the northerners. Irrespective of the political party you support, you must bring a good hand who knows what he is doing to reclaim the integrity of the North for our incoming generations to be respected.

“We don’t have security in our country as if we don’t have government. Farming activities have been paralyzed, our children’s education has been affected, hunger and looting is on the increase.”

2023 Presidency: I’ll Obey PDP’s Supremacy In Choice Of Candidate – Bala Mohammed

A file photo of Governor Bala Mohammed.

 

A Presidential aspirant and the Governor of Bauchi state, Bala Mohammed has said that he will obey the choice of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in choosing its Presidential flag bearer in the 2023 elections.

He stated this in an interview at the party’s secretariat in Minna after meeting with delegates ahead of the party’s primary.

“As a Democrat, I will obey and accept the party supremacy in choosing its flag bearer for the 2023 general elections,” he said.

READ ALSO: ‘He Joined APC In 2019,’ Political Parties, Groups Demand Emefiele’s Sack

However, he said he is presenting himself before the party elders, members, and Nigerians for them to take a decision on who will lead them.

Governor Bala Mohammed explained that zoning is not a problem but a formula to ensure equity and justice, which is commendable.

One Killed, Many Houses Razed In Bauchi Communal Clash

INEC Resumes Collation Exercise For Bauchi Governorship Election Today
Bauchi state is bordered by seven states, Kano and Jigawa to the north, Taraba and Plateau to the south, Gombe and Yobe to the east, and Kaduna to the west.

 

One person has been killed with over 20 houses burnt in a clash between Gudum Hausawa and Gudum Fulani communities in Bauchi State.

The crisis escalated on Wednesday after the burial of two people who were killed on Saturday by hoodlums who launched an attack on a wedding send-forth.

Worried about the situation, the state governor, Bala Mohammed, imposed a 24-hour curfew, to prevent the crisis from getting out of control.

Accompanied by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Umar Sanda, the governor visited the communities to get first-hand knowledge of the incident and to also commiserate with the people.

READ ALSO: Senate Mourns Imo Explosion Victims, Says Illegal Refining Damaging Nigeria

He also gave an insight into the efforts of the state authorities since the clashes began.

A file photo of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

 

“I have come here to commiserate with my brothers and sisters over the ugly incident that happened within the last one week,” said Governor Mohammed. “Last three days, two peace-loving and unsuspecting Christian youths were killed by suspected hoodlums who don’t want us to live in peace.

“After that incident, all the suspects were arrested, the commissioner has attested to this and we are in the process of prosecuting them. Of course, during this burial, we had a reprisal. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

The governor promised that justice would be served and those who lost properties to the incident would be compensated.

“Those who came and unleash this havoc, burning houses and one man died, were not members of this community; they came from somewhere,” he stated. “We are looking around and we will make sure we give you cover.

“I have directed the commissioner of police to make sure that there is a police station at the fringes and inside the community. The community is a diverse community, a community of Muslims and Christians, and a community of the Fulani, Sayawa, Hausa, Jarawa, and other tribes.

“This is the reflection of the heterogeneity of Bauchi. This is a reflection of the diversity of Nigeria. We have to live in peace. Bauchi has made a name that we are peaceful. I will make sure I give you the required leadership. It is my duty to make sure I come here to ensure peace in this place.”

Gudum Hausawa, Gudum Sayawa, and Gudum Fulani are ethnoreligious communities that share boundaries but have a history of clashes for many years.

Lack Of Accountability Responsible For Nigeria’s Security Challenges, Says Saraki

A file photo of former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

 

A presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Bukola Saraki, has condemned the Federal Government’s handling of the security situation in the country.

He believes that the inability to hold anyone accountable is responsible for the country’s continuous security challenges.

The former Senate President said this on Tuesday at the PDP Secretariat in Jos, Plateau State, while addressing the party’s delegates ahead of the forthcoming presidential congress for which he is seeking the support of the delegates.

Senator Saraki reminded the delegates of the middle-belt role in the stability of the country, especially in the emergence of presidential candidates and reasons that it is the turn of the north-central to produce the next democratically elected president.

Read Also: 2023 Presidency: PDP Northern Elders Endorse Saraki, Bala Mohammed

“Nigeria today, we do not have the luxury of sending anybody to the Villa. Unfortunately, the people of Plateau are bearing the brunt of it. They’ve lost close relatives, close friends, properties, and that cannot continue,” he said.

“Who is going to help us solve that problem, who better than one of us,” he asked, adding: “the problem of insecurity in Nigeria is because there has been no accountability.

“People have done this, and nobody is held accountable.”

This comes days after the Northern Elders Forum picked him and the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed as consensus candidates for the region.

2023: Only Jonathan Can Make Me Reconsider Presidential Ambition – Bauchi Governor

A file photo of former President, Goodluck Jonathan

 

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State says he would only consider stepping down his presidential ambition in 2023 if former President Goodluck Jonathan indicates interest in contesting for the position.

The governor said this when he featured on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, explaining that his stance is based on respect for Jonathan who appointed him as the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2010.

“He is one of those persons I respect most in this country. He is the most respected person I have because I emerged and came to national limelight through him,” the governor said after months of speculation that Jonathan may join the race.

“Certainly, I have come to establish a family relationship with him and to me, he cannot be in the race and I will be in the race, out of respect and modesty.

“I have given him enough time and he has urged me to go ahead and I have gone ahead and even gotten another burden now; the mandate of my elders to continue. So, if Jonathan is running, it is a very big problem to me.”

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2023 Presidency: I Don’t Believe In Zoning – Bala Mohammed

Consensus Candidate: Tambuwal Distances Self From Saraki, Mohammed’s Emergence

2023 Presidency: PDP Northern Elders Endorse Saraki, Bala Mohammed

While the two main political parties in the country have not officially zoned the presidential seat, the governor says he does not believe in the power-sharing deal.

Nigeria, he argued, needs someone who can lead the nation irrespective of where such person hails from.

“I don’t believe in sectionalism or zoning. I believe in Nigeria first. I believe that Nigerians should be given the opportunity to get the best, but put that aside about merit and rotation which is the key because we’re a federating entity country,” he said.

This comes days after the former minister and former Senate President Bukola Saraki were selected by the Northern Elders Forum as the consensus candidates for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

2023 Presidency: I Don’t Believe In Zoning – Bala Mohammed

 

Governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammed has said he does not believe in zoning ahead of the 2023 presidential elections but rather believes that the focus should simply be to find a leader who is capable of leading Nigeria.

Governor Bala made the comments during an interview on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics.

This comes days after himself and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, were selected by the Northern Elders Forum on Friday as the consensus candidates for the Peoples Democratic Party.

Read Also: Consensus Candidate: Tambuwal Distances Self From Saraki, Mohammed’s Emergence

 

A file photo of Governor Bala Mohammed.

 

According to Bala, himself and Saraki have been asked to decide on who will emerge as the candidate to represent the region.

While stating that he has the wealth of knowledge and experience to lead Nigeria, he said he will only step down for Saraki if he is convinced beyond reasonable doubts that he will do a better job come 2023.

When asked if he would step down for former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who is considered to be one of the political heavy-weights who is vying for the top job, Bala said: “why can’t Atiku step down for me”.

He explained that the only person who he would step down for is Goodluck Jonathan if he declares his interest to run for President.

“I stand by my commitment not to contest against Jonathan,” the governor said.