Social activist and Public Affairs commentator, Kazeem Tanimu, has reacted to accusations of corruption against Gov.Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State by Jackson Ude, US-based investigative journalist and former A Director of Strategy and Communications, under President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a recent series of tweets on his official twitter page; @jacksonpbn, Ude, who publishes Pointblank News, alleged that the governor was looting the state treasuring under his watch.
The tweet reads: “BALA MOHAMMED AND THE LOOTING OF BAUCHI STATE Pt1
“Governor BALa Mohammed of Bauchi state is using his colleague Governor to loot his state resources. On 04 March 2019, the “BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY GADAU- TETFUND INTERVENTION ACCOUNT” account with account number “0122832042” experienced a debit of N89,437,144.73, in favour of SUPERIOR CONTRACTORS LIMITED.
“The company is owned by the Governor of Gombe State, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, and his sons Misbahuddin Inuwa Yahaya and Raddiyya Inuwa Yahaya.
Ude continues “IN FOUR TRANSACTIONS, GOV BALA MOHAMMED LOOTED N632.5MILLION FROM BAUCHI TREASURY.
“Findings have revealed that On 26th November 2020, the Bauchi State Consolidated Revenue Fund Account (CRF-TSA) 0124662 witnessed an outflow of N126,5m in favour of Adda Nigeria Limited.
“The following day (April 27, 2020), the Bauchi State Government Federation Account Allocation Committee Account 0125043 paid the sum of N126.5m in favour of the same company.Adda Nigeria Limited also had payment of N126.5m paid into it from the Bauchi State’s FAAC account on May 20, 2020.
“Again, on May 30 and July 27, 2020, the sum of N126.5m each was paid to Adda Nigeria Limited by the Bauchi State Government FAAC Account 01146385 and the Bauchi State Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF-TSA) respectively.
“A quick search by our correspondent revealed that the quartet of Bala Mohammed, Abdullahi Bawa, Salihu Bawa Z.A and Salihu Bawa H.A are Directors of Adda Nigeria Limited.”
The tweet has continued to generate reactions among Nigerians, especially among Civil Society Groups and political watchers. With many saying the Governor need to convincingly debunk the allegations by Ude.
However, Tanimu, a youth mobilizer and advocate of good governance across Africa, told newsmen that although Ude’s claim should not be flayed at the surface as he has known him to be a “ a sound investigative Journalist.”
Tanimu however said that although he testify of the governor’s financial impropriety , he only know him to be “ politically on stable.”
Tanimu said: “Loyalty means nothing to Gov Bala of Bauchi State, he is among those working against the tribunal case because of his selfish intentions to run for president with Nyesom Wike deputizing him in 2027.
“The likes of Rt. Hon Dogara knows Bala Mohammed so well; he is aware of his deviousness. Governor Bala has two-faced lifestyle, that lacks common values and morals.
“You can’t trade or buy loyalty, you can only earn it. It’s a priceless piece that can hardly be afforded. Gov Bala is a mole ravaging the PDP. Personally i regret ever working with him and his frontier, Eric Anyamene.
“We have paid our dues in helping him count his political steps too. In 2019 we organised a grand fundraising dinner for him which he failed to appreciate; and we are still on standby watching him make a fool of himself.”