Call for impeachment of Bauchi gov laughable — Maigamo
What is your take on the call for Governor Mohammed Abubakar to resign?
That is laughable; it’s really funny. What was his offence to warrant an impeachment? Simply because he expressed his opinion on what rightly belongs to him becomes an impeachable offence? Whoever called for that impeachment must be an enemy of democracy, good governance and the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (As amended).
It was a member of the House of Assembly who is also of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that made the call, are you not worried?
That member must have forgotten that we are now in October, not April, to have made that statement which sounds like April Fool. The member must revisit relevant documents on what impeaching a governor entails.
Anyway, it is politics and I believe that member is on the other side of the divide and wanted to score a cheap goal. The member should retrieve that statement in the interest of democracy.
Was the House of Assembly contacted before the Paris Club Refund was expended?
Is there any constitutional provision that says such refunds must be referred to the House before utilisation? Mind you, the governor is a lawyer by profession and knows his limitations and those of the honourable members. Unnecessary confusion must not be created to cause panic in the society. The governor was grossly misunderstood, and that was used to malign his integrity and cause unnecessary hatred. But the fear of God and the day of reckoning is the beginning of wisdom.
But then, how were the first and second tranches of the Paris Club Refund expended?
A Member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly recently asked Governor Mohammed Abubakar to resign over a statement he made after some governors met with President Muhammadu Buhari where they made request for the release of what remains of the Paris Club Refund. In this interview in Abuja, Garba Aliyu Maigamo, who is the Bauchi State Accountant General, said it is laughable to ask the governor to go, adding that there is need to always separate governance from politicking. Excerpts:
The tranches were receipted and utilised as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari. The refunds were channeled to monthly payment of salaries, pension and backlog of other payments as well. They were used for the provision of infrastructure to benefit the people; no single kobo was diverted or stolen as mischievously alleged. The records are there and whosoever is not satisfied with my defense is at liberty to demand for thorough explanation through the use of the Freedom of Information Act. Our financial books can be inspected on directive to convince any doubting mind. All receipted funds are channelled to infrastructural development and payment of accumulated debts incurred by government.
You mean there is no case of uncleared salary in Bauchi State?
Yes please! The government has since stabilised in the steady payment of salary and pension. It intends very soon to clear all other outstanding claims, including leave grant. The civil servants are there to verify what I’m saying and pensioners are there to also verify. The refund was primarily given for those purposes which we implemented with uttermost caution as directed.
What of leave grant?
Leave grant is a privilege; not a necessity. Monthly salary is a necessity and a right which we have addressed. The government will soon settle all outstanding claims, including leave grant and other sundry ones you never mentioned. It is ideal to remind you that what the state receives monthly from the federation allocation is not enough to pay salary, pension and still provide service to the teeming population. What government does in most cases is to source for additional funds elsewhere to support its obligations.
So, when the Paris Club Refund came, it assisted in stabilising the economy, and it was a big relief; although temporary.
Is remittance of the Paris Club Refund a must to the states?
It was a must because it belonged to the states. It was a refund of our overpaid money and the states deserved it and it was released at the most appropriate time. Although the states got the refund through several efforts, including engaging consultants, we must commend the president for directing the release of the funds.
Our governor has already expressed our gratitude for what we can call a saving intervention, and all the benefitting states remain most grateful.
But your governor said it was your right to have the refund.
That is correct because it was a refund from an overpayment the states made to the Paris and London Clubs’ creditors. The statement of the governor was grossly misunderstood and twisted to satisfy a mischievous plan. He never meant to offend or challenge the president on the issue. All he said was that it was the right of the states to get the refund because it was their legitimate money. What is wrong with that? Should he have said it was a largesse extended to the states by the Federal Government while it was not? Mischief makers are always at work to stain relationships and create unnecessary issues for relevance. There was no issue in the public statement of the governor to warrant all those unnecessary allegations. He meant well and expressed it through his statement that was overblown for mischief.