A group, the Bauchi Progressives Forum have accused Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State of mismanagement of Bauchi State resources, while failing to deliver development to the State.
The forum, in a statement signed by its President, Comrade Isa Sani Warji and issued on Friday stated that Bauchi State had received tens of billions of Naira from FAAC allocations but with no infrastructure, healthcare or educational facilities to show for it.
“The figures speak volumes. Between June and November 2024 alone, Bauchi State received over ₦52.7 billion in FAAC allocations. Specifically, over ₦17 billion was disbursed in October and November. Yet, the people of Bauchi endure untold hardship, with no discernible improvement in infrastructure, healthcare, or education. This begs the question: where has the money gone?
“Governor Bala Mohammed’s response to these allegations was as empty as his achievements. Not once did he cite a single completed project, a functioning hospital, a world-class school or a transformative initiative. His claims of “construction of hospitals and schools” are laughable at best, as he failed to name even one location where such facilities exist. The reality is clear: these so-called achievements exist only on paper, not in the lives of Bauchi’s citizens. And the citizens of Bauchi know this better,” the statement read.
The forum which was responding to the State Government’s response to Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar’s criticism of the Governor’s management of the State stated that the country’s foreign affairs Minister who hails from the State had rightly criticised the Governor as Bala Mohammed’s tenure was “marked by ineptitude, mismanagement, and a disturbing absence of developmental progress in Bauchi State.”
Describing Bala Mohammed as “the worst Governor in Northern Nigeria today”, the Bauchi Progressives Forum stated that “under Governor Bala Mohammed’s watch, Bauchi State has become a symbol of decay and despair,” noting that “His administration’s record is a testament to wasted resources and squandered opportunities. Roads remain impassable, schools crumble, and hospitals barely function—despite the tens of billions at his disposal.”
It further accused the Governor of carrying out land-grabbing schemes against the indigenes of the State who the group stated were afraid of coming out due to fear of victimisation.
“Moreover, Governor Bala Mohammed’s history of alleged corruption precedes his governorship. From accusations of land-grabbing during his tenure as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to similar allegations in Bauchi State, his track record reeks of betrayal of public trust. We challenge the Governor to deny these claims and pledge not to intimidate Bauchi residents, and we will produce ten victims of his ruthless land-grabbing schemes who fear that if they come out, he would victimise them and their families.”
Defending Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar’s criticism of the Governor the forum stated that his criticisms were neither politically motivated nor baseless and that the Minister of Foreign Affairs is a statesman that is deeply invested in the State’s progress.
“Governor, Ambassador Tuggar has worked tirelessly to uplift the state and its people. His observations reflect the collective frustration of all serious-minded Bauchi indigenes who have watched their state descend into disrepair under Bala Mohammed’s abysmal leadership.”
The Bauchi Progressives Forum noted that the state was in deplorable condition and to “remain silent in the face of such flagrant misgovernance is an act of complicity.”
It called on the Governor to deliver tangible results that serve the people of Bauchi State stating that Bala Mohammed “must rise to the occasion or step aside for leaders who truly prioritize the welfare of the people.”
