The Presidency, criticized Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, urging him to prioritize governance over what it described as “irresponsible politics” regarding the Tax Reforms Bill.
In a statement issued on Friday, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare, accused Governor Mohammed of neglecting pressing issues in Bauchi State to attack the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Dare’s statement, titled “Gov. Bala Mohammed is Playing Irresponsible Politics,” came in response to comments made by the governor earlier in the week.
While meeting with the National Chairman of the Council of Ulama Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah, Sheikh Sani Jingir, Governor Mohammed criticized President Tinubu’s economic reforms, claiming they were causing hardship for Nigerians, particularly in the North.
“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,” Mohammed said during the meeting.
He added that the North had been disproportionately affected by the Federal Government’s proposed Tax Reforms.
Responding to these remarks, the Presidency said, “Governor Bala should face governance and stop using President Tinubu to burnish his vanishing image.
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.”
Dare highlighted the administration’s focus on economic recovery, stating, “President Tinubu is focused on revamping the economy, and he 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.”
He further emphasized the government’s commitment to collaboration with sub-national entities and other stakeholders to improve the well-being of Nigerians.
“The focus of this government is on how to build stronger collaborations with sub-nationals and other critical stakeholders on matters that affect the lives of Nigerians,” the statement read.
The Presidency defended Tinubu against claims of being unresponsive, stating, “President Tinubu is a listening leader and also a leader who firmly believes in the institutions of state.”
It encouraged individuals and groups with concerns about the Tax Reform Bills before the National Assembly to engage with the legislative process, labeling any attempts to bypass this process as “undemocratic and self-serving.”
The statement also called attention to Governor Mohammed’s own governance record, questioning, “How well are the people of his state, who still rank among the most impoverished in Nigeria, faring 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?”
The Presidency asserted that Governor Mohammed has a duty to the people of Bauchi State, just as President Tinubu has a duty to all Nigerians.
“Constant blustering and playing irresponsible politics will not relieve him of his duty to the people of Bauchi State, whose lives his leadership has impoverished,” Dare concluded.
