Bauchi governor attacks Daily Trust Correspondent, threaten to excommunicate him from state

By Our Reporter 

 

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has threatened to excommunicate the correspondent of Daily Trust from the state, accusing him of treachery and working for the opposition party.

Mohammed was angered by the line of questions posed by Hassan Ibrahim, who wanted the governor to react to allegations by the opposition All

Progressives Congress (APC) that the administration was financially

strangulating the State House of Assembly, working with cabals and

allegedly awarding contracts without following due process.

The incident happened on Saturday, during a media chat organised by

the State Commissioner of Information Dahiru Garba in collaboration the Senior Special Assistant Muktaf Gidado, to commemorate the

one-year anniversary of the administration, held at the Command Guests

House, Bauchi.

But the occasion was not a good experience for Hassan Ibrahim as the governor, who was elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was visibly angered by the questions posed by the Daily Trust reporter.

“You think you are the only journalist? I had reported you. You

have taken a position. You even reported that we abandoned somebody in Alkaleri in my place. You always look for the negative things to say about Bauchi State. Negative report is not good. Try to be positive for God’s sake,” he said.

Mohammed explained that his administration, which has been applauded by the people of the state for many developmental projects executed within just a year in office, has procured a lot within a short time.

“Procurement is supposed to be price competitiveness, quality. You

have gone to the villages and seen the roads we have done. Some of the roads, we don’t have such roads built by the state government. Have

you said it? There are different ways of procurement, not just saying

we are not doing advert. Advertisement can be done in-House and it has not sidetracked due process,” he said

Governor Mohammed added that Ibrahim was trying to insult him on the one-year anniversary of his administration, saying

“You talk of cabal. Which cabals? Is it me that has been called a cabal that will tell you who are the other two cabals?  You that chose to insult me on my first year anniversary that should tell me who is the cabal, not to mention them. You are free to mention them but I don’t think anybody is a cabal in this administration”

He advised journalist against creating conflicts where there is none.

“Don’t sensationalise things and creating conflicts where there is

none. The people of Bauchi want good governance and we are providing it. We respect the State Assembly and always do what they want. What is stragulation there?”

Turning to the Daily Trust correspondent, he said, “If you are being sponsored by the failed administration of Mohammed Abubakar to come and…I will ex-communicate you from this state” Mohammed threatens.