The report by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed that President Bola Tinubu does not heed to supposed wise counsel from governors has drawn reaction from the Presidency.
Mohammed and the Presidency have been having open spat springing from the tax reforms bill that doesn’t sit well with the preponderance of Northern leaders for alleged grounds that the proposal disfavours the region but is advantageous to Lagos.
“It is true that we are not on good terms with him (President Tinubu) because our brothers and sisters are suffering. Even we, the governors, are suffering. Aside from his policies, he does not listen to us,” the governor had recently told the National Chairman Council of Ulama Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah, Sheikh Sani Jingir, who paid him a condolence visit at his office in Bauchi, the state capital.
In a rejoinder by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Mr. Sunday Dare, the Presidency accused Mohammed of playing dirty politics and sleeping on his responsibility to govern Bauchi well, adding that Tinubu has a listening ear.
Dare’s statement read, “Governor Bala is playing irresponsible politics. Rather, he should occupy himself with dealing with the many problems of his state. Ambition is made of sterner stuff.
“President Bola Tinubu’s administration is one that is laser-focused on issues of development and how to improve on the overall well-being of Nigerians.
“This government does not deal with personalities. Our focus is on how to build stronger collaborations with sub-nationals and other critical stakeholders on matters that affect the lives of Nigerians.
“President Tinubu won an election and secured a national mandate from Nigerians and he will not surrender that to satisfy the palate of some pseudo-activists and latter-day crusaders.
“President Tinubu is a listening leader and one who also strongly believes in the institutions of state.
“On the Tax Reform Bills, the President was clear that anyone and groups that feel strongly about this matter now before the National Assembly should take advantage of the legislative process. Attempts to stampede or abort this process must be regarded as undemocratic and self-serving.
“The question to Governor Bala Mohammed by journalists is to know what he is doing to make life better for the people of Bauchi State. How well are the people of his state, who still rank as most impoverished among Nigerians, fairing under his leadership?
“How well has he as governor used the increased resources at his disposal to improve the quality of life of his people? Just like President Tinubu has a duty to all Nigerians, Governor Mohammed has a greater duty and responsibility to the people of his state.
“President Tinubu is focused on revamping the economy and is working to turn the economic fortunes of the country around. He has a four-year mandate to deliver on his promises.
“Nigerians have started to see the real impact of reforms of the Tinubu administration and better outcomes will continue to manifest in the lives of the citizens in the weeks and months ahead.”
