By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has vehemently reacted to the alleged recruitment of 1,000 militants and political thugs by the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (rtd) in the state ahead of the general elections aimed at disrupting the political process.
Mohammed in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, said the matter should be of grave concern to anybody with a keen interest in the development of Bauchi state and the overall security of Nigeria.
Quoting a security signal it has assessed and an unnamed colonel in the vanguard, Sahara Reporters alleged that “Sadique and the APC had recruited over 1000 foot soldiers with arms to destabilize parts of the state perceived as opponent’s stronghold”.
“We are not concerned by the lamentations contained in the story of unnamed APC stalwarts who appear to have been shortchanged during the primaries of the party as that is their internal affair. However, against the backdrop of the deteriorating security situation in the country, any responsible Government will be alarmed by this disclosure which, if true, portends a grave danger not only for Bauchi State but also the country at large”, he said.
According to him, the government note with concern that the sudden escalation in violent crimes characterized by kidnappings, banditry and other vices, in certain parts of the state, seem to fall in place with the allegations contained in the Sahara Reporters story.
Governor Bala argued that during this period, places like Sabon Gari, Garin Sambo, Digare, Mansur and Shafan Duguri in Alkaleri Local Government. Boto and Tudun Wadan Malima in Tafawa Balewa Local Government. Sabon Garin Na Rabi and Gumau in Toro Local Government. Bura in Ningi Local Government have witnessed increased security threats and actual breaches.
He explained that the state government has been stretched to the limits as it battles what to all intents and purposes, is a well-orchestrated chains of crime and criminality, designed to distract it from its developmental goals.
“We shudder to imagine that any responsible and patriotic individual or organization would, willy-nilly, promote violence against its people, more so when, as alleged by Sahara Reporters, the entities involved actually aspire to lead the state”
“It raises the question: Do they aspire to rule over the dead? Though we have heard allegations of violence and insecurity instigated by people in authority, we cannot imagine anyone shooting his way to power, in a democracy”.
“Perhaps that is the crux of the matter, some people are yet to come to terms with the democratic ethos that are being installed in the country”, Bala stated, observing that power-hungry persons cannot understand the sustained and painstaking effort at democratization and people-empowerment that have endeared his administration to the vast majority of the Bauchi people.
“People in the state are shocked that, despite orchestrated campaigns of calumny, Bala Mohammed’s popularity continues to soar as demonstrated by the desertions from other parties to the PDP, with the APC suffering the most biting exodus”
“Despite the eye-opening Sahara Reporters story, the Bala Mohammed Administration wishes to assure the good people of Bauchi State that it will remain focused on delivering the dividends of democracy that, for several years before 2019, had eluded the peace-loving people of the state”.
Governor Bala therefore advised law-abiding citizens of the state to go about their legitimate duties, and called on the security agencies and Mr. President to cause a thorough investigation of the ominous allegations by Sahara Reporters against the APC and its gubernatorial candidate in Bauchi State, Air Marshal Abubakar Sadique (rtd).
“It should not be overstated that, the plan to foist an extra-constitutional and quasi-military organ on the state, for the purpose of electoral advantage, can only lead to a total breakdown of law and order, with dire and unfathomable consequences for our dear country in general and Bauchi state in particular”, he concluded.
