THE Presidency has reacted to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed’s recent comments about the president not listening to the people, asking him to face governance in the northern state and stop playing irresponsible politics.
Earlier in the week, Mohammed had a talk with the National Chairman Council of Ulama Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah, Sheikh Sani Jingir, over the state of the nation.
Jingir was a staunch proponent of the Muslim-Muslim Ticket that brought President Bola Tinubu to power in May 2023.
“It is true that we are not on good terms with him (Tinubu) because our brothers and sisters are suffering. Even we, the governors, are suffering. Aside from his policies, he does not listen to us,” Mohammed said.
According to him, the north has been most affected by Tinubu’s policies. He added that the proposed tax reform would further impoverish the region.
Reacting to this, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, in a statement on Friday said the governor was playing “irresponsible politics”.
“Governor Bala should face governance and stop using President Tinubu to burnish his vanishing image. Governor Bala is playing Irresponsible Politics. Rather, he should occupy himself with dealing with the many problems of his state. Ambition is made of sterner stuff,” said the Presidency.
“President Tinubu is focused on revamping the economy, and he is working to turn the economic fortunes of the country around. He has a four-year mandate to deliver on his promises.
“Nigerians have started to see the real impact of reforms of the Tinubu administration and better outcomes will continue to manifest in the lives of the citizens in the weeks and months ahead.”
Dare said Tinubu’s administration is laser-focused on issues of development and how to improve the overall well-being of Nigerians.
“The focus of this government is on how to build stronger collaborations with sub-nationals and other critical stakeholders on matters that affect the lives of Nigerians,” the statement read.
The Presidency argued that Tinubu won the 2023 election and secured a national mandate from Nigerians, and he will not surrender that to satisfy the palate of some pseudo-activists and later-day crusaders.
It also opposed Mohammed’s claim saying “President Tinubu is a listening leader and also a leader who firmly believes in the institutions of state.”
On the Tax Reform Bills, the Presidency urged that anyone or group that feels strongly about the matter before the National Assembly should take advantage of the legislative process.
“How well are the people of his state who still rank as most impoverished among Nigerians faring under his leadership?” The Presidency querried in the statement.
“How well has he, as Governor, used the increased resources at his disposal to improve the quality of life of his people?”
The statement added that just like Tinubu has a duty to all Nigerians, “Governor Bala has a greater duty and responsibility to the people of his state,” therefore, “Constant blustering and playing irresponsible politics will not relieve him of his duty to the people of Bauchi State his leadership has impoverished.”