Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Tension Rises As Natasha Plans Plenary Comeback Today Despite Senate Pushback
    • ‘Your Online Life Matters’, US Links Visa Approval To Social Media Access
    • Royal Rivalry Turns Violent As Sanusi, Bayero Loyalists Clash At Kano Palace
    • ASUU Branches In States Stop Lectures Over Delayed June Salaries
    • ‘It’s All Tissue Of Lies’, Ekiti Governor Refutes ADC Defection Rumours
    • Houses Destroyed, Properties Lost As Flood Ravages Ondo Communities After Heavy Downpour
    • WAFCON: Babajide Pays Tribute To Jota After Scoring In Falcons’ Victory Over Tunisia
    • Arsenal Close In On Gyokeres Deal After Face-To-Face Talks
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    NEWS POINT NIGERIANEWS POINT NIGERIA
    UBA 720X90
    • HOME
    • NEWS

      Tension Rises As Natasha Plans Plenary Comeback Today Despite Senate Pushback

      July 8, 2025

      ‘Your Online Life Matters’, US Links Visa Approval To Social Media Access

      July 8, 2025

      Royal Rivalry Turns Violent As Sanusi, Bayero Loyalists Clash At Kano Palace

      July 8, 2025

      ASUU Branches In States Stop Lectures Over Delayed June Salaries

      July 8, 2025

      ‘It’s All Tissue Of Lies’, Ekiti Governor Refutes ADC Defection Rumours

      July 7, 2025
    • COLUMN

      There Is Pain Behind That Smile. Just Do Your Bit – By Dr Hassan Gimba

      July 6, 2025

      What Can Nigeria Learn From China’s Electricity Revolution? – By Dr Dakuku Peterside

      July 6, 2025

      Amaechi: Nigerian Politicians And Doublespeak – By Kazeem Akintunde

      July 6, 2025

      Remembering ‘Watergate Scandal’ And Danger Of Crippling Opposition – By Martins Oloja

      July 6, 2025

      Don’t Kill Yourself Because He’s Cheating – By Funke Egbemode

      July 6, 2025
    • EDUCATION

      13 Countries Offering Free Or Low-Cost PhD Programmes For Non-Citizens

      January 25, 2025

      NECO: Abia, Imo Top Performing States In Two Years, Katsina, Zamfara Come Last

      October 3, 2024

      NBTE Accredits 17 Programmes At Federal Polytechnic Kabo

      August 20, 2024

      15 Most Expensive Universities In Nigeria

      May 19, 2024

      FULL LIST: Tinubu Appoints Former SGF Yayale, Ex-Governor Yuguda, Muhammad Abacha, Jega In Universities’ Governing Councils

      May 18, 2024
    • INTERNATIONAL

      Iran President, Masoud Pezeshkian Says Israel Attempted To Assassinate Him

      July 7, 2025

      Trump, Brazil’s Lula Clash Over Politically Charged Coup Trial

      July 7, 2025

      Israeli Army Targets Gaza City With Heavy Strikes, Killing 39

      July 6, 2025

      French Intelligence Claims China Trying To Foil Global Sale Of Rafale Jets

      July 6, 2025

      Israel Sending Negotiating Team To Qatar For Gaza Ceasefire Talks

      July 6, 2025
    • JUDICIARY

      FULL LIST: Judicial Council Recommends Appointment Of 11 Supreme Court Justices

      December 6, 2023

      Supreme Court: Judicial Council Screens 22 Nominees, Candidates Face DSS, Others

      November 29, 2023

      FULL LIST: Judicial Commission Nominates 22 Justices For Elevation To Supreme Court

      November 16, 2023

      Seven Key Issues Resolved By Seven Supreme Court Judges

      October 26, 2023

      FULL LIST: CJN To Swear In Falana’s Wife, 57 Others As SANs November 27

      October 12, 2023
    • POLITICS

      What Peter Obi May Lose If He Joins Coalition As VP Candidate

      May 25, 2025

      Atiku Moves To Unseat Wike’s Damagum As PDP Chairman, Backs Suswam As Replacement

      April 15, 2024

      Edo’s Senator Matthew Uroghide, Others Defect To APC

      April 13, 2024

      Finally, Wike Opens Up On Rift With Peter Odili

      April 2, 2024

      El-Rufa’i’s Debt Burden: APC Suspends Women Leader For Criticising Kaduna Gov

      March 31, 2024
    • SPORTS

      WAFCON: Babajide Pays Tribute To Jota After Scoring In Falcons’ Victory Over Tunisia

      July 7, 2025

      Arsenal Close In On Gyokeres Deal After Face-To-Face Talks

      July 7, 2025

      THROWBACK: How I Became Known As Dodo Mayana – Peter Rufai

      July 6, 2025

      Zubimendi Joined Gunners For £60m – How Arsenal Signed Arteta’s ‘Obsession’

      July 6, 2025

      Best Of African Women’s Football On Display As WAFCON Kicks Off

      July 6, 2025
    • MORE
      • AFRICA
      • ANALYSIS
      • BUSINESS
      • ENTERTAINMENT
      • FEATURED
      • LENS SPEAK
      • INFO – TECH
      • INTERVIEW
      • NIGERIA DECIDES
      • OPINION
      • Personality Profile
      • Picture of the month
      • Science
      • Special Project
      • Videos
      • Weekend Sports
    NEWS POINT NIGERIANEWS POINT NIGERIA
    UBA 720X90
    Home - Bala Mohammed And The Pitfalls Of Diplomatic Ignorance – By Danjuma Garba Duguri (DGD)

    Bala Mohammed And The Pitfalls Of Diplomatic Ignorance – By Danjuma Garba Duguri (DGD)

    By Danjuma Garba Duguri (DGD)January 30, 2025
    Bauchi Gov 2

    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.

    UBA

    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.

    WIDGET ADS

    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.

    Thomas Sankara African Leadership Prize

    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.

    Nigerian TAX Reform - Federal Goverment

    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.

    National Orientation Agency Page UP
    National Orientation Agency - Down

    Bala Mohammed Danjuma Garba Article Tuggar
    Share. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp LinkedIn Telegram Email

    Related Posts

    When Power Mongers Regroup: Inside The ADC Circus – By Temitope Ajayi

    July 6, 2025

    Kwankwaso: The Northern Titan Tinubu Needs For 2027 – By Lamara Garba Azare

    July 6, 2025

    Ribadu: Of Progress And Agents Of Distraction – By Khalid Mahmud

    July 6, 2025

    WAES: From $208bn Trade To Economic Rebirth In West Africa – By Omoniyi Joshua

    July 5, 2025
    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Latest Posts

    Tension Rises As Natasha Plans Plenary Comeback Today Despite Senate Pushback

    July 8, 2025

    ‘Your Online Life Matters’, US Links Visa Approval To Social Media Access

    July 8, 2025

    Royal Rivalry Turns Violent As Sanusi, Bayero Loyalists Clash At Kano Palace

    July 8, 2025

    ASUU Branches In States Stop Lectures Over Delayed June Salaries

    July 8, 2025

    ‘It’s All Tissue Of Lies’, Ekiti Governor Refutes ADC Defection Rumours

    July 7, 2025
    Advertisement
    WIDGET ADS
    News Point NG
    © 2025 NEWS POINT NIGERIA Developed by ENGRMKS & CO.
    • Home
    • About us
    • Disclaimer
    • Our Advert Rates
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Join Us On WhatsApp