Nothing unusual about sack of Bauchi commissioners — Malami
Since 2015, Bauchi State has remained a subject of public discourse among the opposition and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Added to this, Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, last week, sacked the Secretary to the State Governmen
What is the rationale behind the dissolution of the executive council in Bauchi?
The dissolution is a product of His Excellency’s resolve to inject fresh ideas for efficient service delivery to the people of Bauchi State. There is really nothing new or extra ordinary when the state chief executive reshuffles his cabinet. It’s aimed at redefining the objectives and implementation of policies and programmes of the administration.
What of the sack of the former SSG, some people said there is politics involved; and that the re-appointment of a new one is about realignment ahead of 2019.?
This is an extension of the cabinet reshuffle. You may wish to know that in a presidential system of government, the chief executive has the right to hire and fire public officers. So there is nothing sacrosanct about retaining an existing officer or appointing a new one.
Then why the choice of Alhaji Muhammadu Nadada who served a PDP administration and left office exactly 10 years ago?
He is an accomplished technocrat who could add value to the administration. He was a one-time SSG and the engine room of the defunct Adamu Mu’azuled PDP administration, which everyone agrees was the best among previous administrations in the state. Though the new SSG is formerly a member of the PDP, he has since decamped to the APC. There is nothing strange about his appointment, it’s about service delivery to the people and as you can see, the governor is already receiving commendations from all over for bringing in Alhaji Muhammadu Nadada. He will assist greatly in moving Bauchi State forward under the able leadership of Governor M.A Abubakar.
It’s now half way into the administration, what is the Bauchi 2019 Project all about?
The Bauchi 2019 Project is the brainchild of indigenes of the state who are interested in the re-election of Governor M.A Abubakar in 2019. It is not the creation of the governor but interest groups in and outside Bauchi. They are independent of the Bauchi State Government and are working for the successful reelection of the governor in recognition of his achievements as the state’s chief executive.
Don’t you think it is too early to start thinking of a second term?
As I said, the project is being spearheaded by people of like minds who are independent of the state government. We are fully aware that it’s not campaign season and that’s why you see the governor concentrating very well in delivering the promises he made to the people, which is good governance and nothing more.
What’re the chances of the governor getting reelected, considering the opposition from within?
His chances are very bright indeed. Governor M.A. Abubakar has performed creditably enough to secure a second term of office and to continue with his progressive policies and programmes for the development of Bauchi State. The silent majority of the people want him and are prepared to vote for him massively in 2019. By Allah’s grace, he will be re-elected for a second term. Mind you in 2015, no one knew he will fly the APC flag and ultimately get elected as the state chief executive. His election was the will of Allah and Insha Allah, he will be re-elected for second term.
What indicators, points? are his the selling
In my opinion, and I believe the opinion of all men and women of goodwill in Bauchi State, the governor’s achievement in the last two years have exceeded what previous administrations achieved in their two terms of office. These achievements are too numerous to mention. They include the construction or renovation of hundreds of kilometres of urban and rural road networks, building and equipping of health centres across the state; improvement of water supply systems, rehabilitation of educational infrastructure, as well an improvement of facilities in various sectors such as agriculture, rural electrification, youth development, security and above all, payment of salaries and workers benefits as at when due. These are no mean achievements given the scarce resources at the disposal of the governor.
What is your reaction to criticism against the governor’s alleged incessant foreign trips?
These allegations are borne out of ignorance or misunderstanding of the scope of responsibilities of the governor. As chief executive, his mandate includes the mobilisation of development and investment opportunities to the state. Therefore, these trips are not for leisure but for the purpose of promoting the economic and industrial potentials of the state. And the trips are yielding the desired objectives. So far, the governor has succeeded in attracting foreign investors into major heights of the state’s economy such as tourism, agriculture and industrialisation.