The new governor of Bauchi State, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar under the platform of the All Progressive Congress [APC] may have arrived under the cloak of change and renewal of hope for the people of Bauchi state but information available to 247ureports.com indicates the contrary may have greeted the people of the State.
Loading ...Yesterday [Saturday], the Bauchi State lawmakers refused a request for a N1billion loan from the APC governor. The Governor who had earlier collected a N4billion loan illegally from the United Bank of African [UBA] had dispatched the Bauchi State chairman of the APC, Alhaji Uba Ahmed Nana to hold a closed door meeting with the members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly to convince them of the need for a N1billion loan. According to the available information, the Governor had conveyed through the State Chairman – that the loan was needed to address financial needs concerning the Bauchi State Universal Education Board. The governor claims the state needed the loan to offset expenses related to the Education Board. But the lawmaker were not convinced as at 4pm Saturday September 5, 2015.
The governor’s choice of Alhaji Uba Ahmed Nana as his special convoy to the State Assembly, according to spectators in the Bauchi political theater, is striking. It is recalled that Alhaji Nana had served as the local government area [LGA] chairman of Yarji during the Muazu administration under the People Democratic Party [PDP] platform. Following the end of the tenure, Alhaji Nana [along with two others] was indicted by a panel put together by the Bauchi State government of having stolen N445million. He was ordered to refund the stolen money. He has yet to refund the said money. The new governor maintains a close relationship with Alhaji Nana.
Meanwhile, the Governor’s request for an additional N1billion comes only weeks after the Governor had collected a supposedly illegal loan of N4billion from UBA. According to available information, the governor had lied to the bankers that he had the ‘go ahead’ from the State assembly and from the State executive council – this is as the state assembly had yet to be inaugurated and the state executive council had yet to be set up. The lending institution in collusion with the new governor – approved the loan and made the sum of N4billion available to the Governor.
Shortly following the illegal loan, the Governor took off on a highly suspicious trip to the Czech Republic in late August 2015. A sum of $57,000 was hurriedly ‘approved’ for estacode while an addition N7,000,000 was approved for plane tickets. A competent source within the government circle intimated 247ureports.com that the hurried trip to the Czech Republic was to launder the said N4billion. 247ureports.com has yet to verify this information.
In similar manner, the new Governor arbitrarily gave away two contracts to his son without following the required due process. One of the contracts was the purchase and delivery of vehicles to each member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly – and the second contract was for the renovation of the Government lodge at the contract sum of N700million. Both contracts [valued in excess of N900million] were awarded and paid out by the Governor without an existing executive council or an inaugurated state assembly.
Adding muster to the already odorized situation, the governor earmarked an additional N80million per month for the maintenance of the 1st and 2nd Lady of Bauchi State – his two wives. He is married to two women. Each wife operates an independent state office at the cost of N40million each.
Presently, the state owes its workers three months salaries.
In talking to the acting media person of the government, Ibrahim Sani, he told 247ureports.com via sms message that the Government of Bauchi remains focused on the promises made to the people of Bauchi – that they will remain financial transparent and prudent.
In his words, “Gov Mohammed A. Abubakar Esq. of Bauchi State has as he assumed office declared to the people of the state that his family members especially his immediate family are going to be out of government business. His priority is to see for the establishment of a solid foundation for Good governance through transparency, accountability and result oriented administration. In the last 100 days, the governor has set off transition, technical transition and Budget Review committees and soon received Reports. He has responded to all facets of government responsibilities in all sectors of development (payment of over 100 million counterpart funding, supply of fertilizer, sponsorship of state pilgrims, payment of over 44m naira to improve water supply etc.) His principle believe would no doubt give room for abuse in award and payment of contract in the last 100 days”.
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