By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi.
Senator Ali Wakili (APC) representing Bauchi South has vehemently refuted the allegation by Governor Mohammed Abubakar that the current rift between him and members of the National Assembly from Bauchi was due to his [Governor’s] refusal to purchase exotic car, and houses for them in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Wakili denied the allegation in Bauchi while distributing forms to cooperative societies drawn from the seven local governments of Bauchi South senatorial district namely Alkaleri, Kirfi, Toro, Dass, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro to access the Federal Government’s N500 billion loan for the nation’s market men and women.
“The allegation is a mere attempt by the Governor to denigrate the law makers and to cheaply restore his lost popularity’ from the people of the state over his alleged poor performance and non-payment of workers’ salaries as at when due for over one year of his assumption of office”, he said.
”When has it ever happened in the states where the Governors purchased houses for legislators? That is his way of blackmailing us. It is very unfortunate. We have never demanded him to buy us houses or cars. Our quarrel with the Governor hinges on our demand for good governance”, he queried.
Wakili explained that the N500 billion was earmarked by the Federal Government for human empowerment programs which includes poverty alleviation, job creation under the ‘N-power’ scheme where youths would be recruited as teachers, Agricultural extension workers, sanitary inspectors and loans to petty traders and artisans across the country.
The Senator revealed that he secured 70 forms for his constituents, as interested traders and market women could access the money at the Bank of Industry through their cooperative societies, and urged them to submit the forms not later than Tuesday to him so that he could forward it in good time.
It could be recalled that Governor Mohammed Abubakar recently alleged that members of the NASS from Bauchi state had demanded from him the purchase of cars, and houses in Abuja for them to smoothen their legislative function, hinging the demand as the reason for the on-going media war between them.
