The Governor of Bauchi State, Governor Bala Mohammed has been accused of land grabbing in Toro Local Government of the State, while also privatising to “his family and friends many choice assets of Bauchi State, like the Meat Factory, Furniture Company and Galambi Cattle Ranch.”
These allegations were contained in a statement issued by the Bauchi State chapter of the APC, in a statement signed by Saadu Umar, its Chairman Publicity Committee.
The party in the statement claimed that the Governor had previously been indicted “land racketeering and corruption” charges involving ₦1.6 TRILLION according to Premium Times of March 28, 2019, noting that the ICPC had also accused him of grabbing the land of Federal Ministry of Agriculture situate at Plot 298 Wuye District, Abuja, expropriating the land for himself, his family and Zinariya International School.
“For instance, Bala, his Commissioners and lackeys grabbed hundreds of hectares of land in Toro LGA particularly in Jama’a/Zaranda Ward,” the statement read.
“As FCT Minister, Bala was indicted on “land racketeering and corruption” charges involving ₦1.6 TRILLION according to Premium Times of March 28, 2019. Further, ICPC has accused Bala of grabbing the land of Federal Ministry of Agriculture situate at Plot 298 Wuye District, Abuja, expropriating the land for himself, his family and Zinariya International School. ICPC have since seized the land Bala grabbed. (ICPC Bulletin, June 16, 2020).”
The party also accused the Governor of nepotism by appointing his siblings to major State-owned parastatals, while privatising state owned assets.
“Moreover, Governor Bala’s public service legacy is ignoble, marked by nepotism: two of his siblings helm SUBEB and PHCDA; and neo- patrimonialism, he privatised to his family and friends many choice assets of Bauchi State, like the Meat Factory, Furniture Company and Galambi Cattle Ranch. (Daily Post Sept, 2022). More, Bala’s legacy is soiled by credible allegations of bribery, corruption and racketeering.
“The EFCC and ICPC are patiently waiting for 2027 to continue the prosecution of the criminal cases filed against him before his unfortunate election in 2019. Notice: Bala’s bail expires on May 29, 2027.Make no mistake, Tuggar’s wise words were a constructive criticism by a far-sighted, altruistic statesman in the patriotic service to his State. Not politics or instruction.”
The statement noted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar was genuinely concerned for the welfare of Bauchi State citizens, noting that the Minister had established a charity, the Tuggar Foundation which was catering for the social welfare needs of multitudes in Bauchi.
“Last December, Tuggar Foundation donated food items worth ₦35 Million—trucks of foodstuffs, thousands of cartons of pasta — and cash donation of over ₦12 Million. Also, last year, Tuggar secured 200 Thousand Dollar donation from ECOWAS through the Red Cross to aid flood victims in Bauchi. Priorly, Tuggar provided over 550 machines and equipment to assist women and youths to stand on their feet. These include, Keke-Napeps, sewing machines, grinding machines, water pumps, wheelchairs etc.
The APC also stated that the Governor was reaping the benefits of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu government through increased State allocations, which he was misappropriating.
“Governor Bala and other Governors had advocated for subsidy removal even before the election of Tinubu in 2023. Indeed Bala and the PDP campaigned on it in the last general election. Even the Tax Reform Bills are now acceptable to Bala. He got what he wished for; he’s enjoying it yet, he’s cursing the goose that lays the golden egg.
“While Bala reaps the fruits of the FG’s economic policies in billions monthly, as pointed out by Tuggar, he plays the ostrich and blames the President for all his ills. Honest Governors like Uzodinma of Imo confessed that Tinubu’s bountiful economic policies are “direct blessings to the State Governments” and the policies afford Governors the chance to grow and develop their States.
“Governor Sule of Nasarawa aired the same sentiment saying if people in the States are suffering, their Governors are responsible, because the Governors are getting windfalls — fruits of Tinubu’s policies,” the statement noted.
The APC Bauchi Chapter stated that Governor Bala Mohammed had received over N150Billion from the Federation account since he resumed office and had mismanaged the money.
“Bala got ₦133.18 Billion from Federation account by the end of Q3 2024, according to the Budget Performance Report 2024.
“Last October and November, Bala got another windfall of ₦18 Billion taking his total to ₦150 Billion in 11 months. Besides, Bala borrowed another ₦100 Billion! And what did Bala do with the money? Mismanagement. Misappropriation. Here’s why.
“He paid ₦11.7 Billion to a “Financial Consultant” without appropriation, according to Bala’s Budget Report. This Consultant cornered over ₦21 Billion in the last two years. And, Bala built big beautiful white hacienda for himself. He even demolished a mosque and an Islamiyyah school in the process. Demolition of mosques and schools reminds me of Gaza and Netanyahu. Ironically, Bala, before becoming Governor, thought a Governor who builds a new house is a thief. Or is he? Listen to Bala’s viral clip, recorded during the 2019 Governorship Campaign.”
It also accused the Governor of failing to improve healthcare in Bauchi State despite the availability of funds from FAAC, stating that it was the intervention of the Minister of Health, Professor Pate, who is also an indigene of the State that has catered to the health needs of the State.