‘I Am Not a Terrorist’ – Governor Bala Mohammed Reacts to Accusations
Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Mohammed, has strongly denied claims linking him to terrorism.
Talking on Wednesday on the Authorities Home in Bauchi, the governor described the accusations as “stunning and absurd.”
The governor insisted that he has no connection to terrorist actions and would by no means condone criminality.
“I used to be shocked to listen to that I’ve been accused of terrorism as a sitting governor. I’m not a terrorist, I’ve nothing to do with terrorism, and I’ll by no means condone criminality of any type,” he stated throughout a ceremony the place he obtained an Award of Excellence as a Security Ambassador from the Security Institute of Nigeria.
Bala Mohammed known as the allegation ironic, pointing to his lengthy file of selling peace, safety, and neighborhood growth in Bauchi State.
He credited the award to the collective efforts of the folks of Bauchi, saying, “Collectively, we labored for peace and safety, and collectively we earned this recognition.”
The governor additionally raised considerations over what he described because the unfair remedy of his Commissioner for Finance, who’s presently in custody of the {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC).
He advised that this, alongside together with his personal identify being talked about in courtroom motions, displays a worrying sample of political persecution.
“Regardless of my constitutional immunity as a governor, my identify was talked about in a movement earlier than a courtroom of legislation, whereas my commissioner stays incarcerated. These are troubling developments in a democratic society,” he stated.
Bala Mohammed criticised the rising intolerance in Nigeria’s political surroundings, stressing that political variations shouldn’t be criminalised.
He warned towards labeling opposition members or those that refuse to affix the ruling get together as criminals.
“I’ve stored quiet for the sake of peace and safety and for the widespread folks, however I’m not a coward,” the governor added.
Bala Mohammed additionally criticised the federal authorities’s new tax insurance policies, arguing that they’d place an extra burden on Nigerians and weaken state governments.
He highlighted that Bauchi stays one of the vital peaceable states within the North attributable to inclusive governance and cooperation throughout get together strains.
“We have now APC, PDP and NNPP in Bauchi, and we live collectively in peace. That’s democracy. That’s tolerance,” he stated.
Earlier, Dr Haruna Malgwi, a Life Member of the Security Institute of Nigeria, defined that the award was given after an intensive evaluation of the governor’s security insurance policies and interventions throughout the state.
He added that the popularity was totally deserved.