GOVERNOR Bala Mohammed has had a prominent political career, serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and now as the Governor of Bauchi State. However, holding high offices does not automatically translate into good governance or tangible benefits for the people he serves. What remains undeniable is the personal political capital he has amassed over the years.
His recent remarks on diplomacy, aired on BBC Hausa’s Radio Shirin Safe under the Gane Mini Hanya segment, expose a troubling lack of understanding of geopolitical dynamics. Whether this is due to genuine ignorance or a calculated attempt to play the role of a contrarian, the outcome is the same—misinformation and a distortion of Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements.
Governor Bala Mohammed waded into the ongoing debate about the possible exit of some West African states from ECOWAS to join the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), but his commentary was both simplistic and misleading. If he had taken the time to study the issue, he would know that the AES bloc was primarily formed as a reactionary measure by military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These unconstitutional governments seek to legitimize their hold on power, bypassing the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which expressly forbids military regimes from participating in the decision-making processes of the regional body.
ECOWAS has consistently upheld democratic principles by demanding clear timelines for a return to civilian rule in these countries. Sanctions were imposed as a diplomatic tool to enforce compliance, a standard approach in international relations. The AES bloc, therefore, is not a strategic alternative to ECOWAS but rather a desperate attempt by these military regimes to sidestep accountability.
Governor Bala’s attempt to blame President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar for these developments is disingenuous at best. The coups in Mali (2020, 2021) and Burkina Faso (2022) predate both their tenures. Even the coup in Niger (July 2023) occurred before Ambassador Tuggar had fully settled into his ministerial role. Assigning blame to the Foreign Minister for geopolitical events beyond his control is not only misleading but also a blatant misrepresentation of facts.
Another glaring misstep in Governor Bala Mohammed’s commentary is his erroneous assumption about the appointment of ambassadors. He appears uninformed about the well-established diplomatic protocol that gives the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the exclusive prerogative to appoint and recall envoys. The Foreign Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, has been forthright and transparent about this process, as evidenced by his statements during the Ministerial Scorecard event, where he addressed concerns about delays in ambassadorial postings.
Despite the absence of envoys, Nigeria’s 109 diplomatic missions continue to function effectively. The administrative and operational structures within these missions remain intact, ensuring that diplomatic engagements proceed without disruption. Governor Bala’s comments betray a fundamental misunderstanding of how international diplomacy operates.
Another problematic assertion by Governor Bala Mohammed is his suggestion that Nigeria is siding with France against Niger. This claim lacks historical context and strategic depth. It is Niger, not Nigeria, that has historically maintained close ties with France. France’s deep-rooted influence in Niger’s economy, military, and political structures has long been documented.
Nigeria, on the other hand, pursues an independent foreign policy guided by national interests, regional stability, and strategic partnerships. President Tinubu’s engagements with France do not signify an anti-Niger stance but are instead part of broader diplomatic efforts to maintain Nigeria’s position as a key player in regional and global affairs. No country has the right to dictate who Nigeria engages with diplomatically.
Governor Bala Mohammed’s recent statements reflect a troubling gap in diplomatic knowledge and a tendency to play to the gallery rather than engage in informed discourse. Rather than resorting to political grandstanding and diplomatic missteps, he would be better served by focusing on governance in Bauchi State. His administration has significant gaps in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and these are the pressing concerns that should command his attention.
Engaging in cheap political blackmail to mislead the public on Nigeria’s foreign policy is not only irresponsible but also a desperate tactic of a politician struggling to remain relevant. The people of Bauchi deserve a leader committed to tangible development, not one distracted by uninformed diplomatic rhetoric.
- Duguri (DGD) is a Political and International Relations Analyst. He writes from Abuja.
