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Presidency To Bauchi Gov: Tackle poverty in your state first before attacking Tinubu
The presidency has responded sharply to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed’s recent comments, urging him to redirect his efforts toward addressing the developmental and poverty challenges in his state rather than issuing threats against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, cautioned Governor Mohammed against making inflammatory statements. He emphasized that the Governor’s remarks, particularly his comment about showing President Tinubu “our true color,” were inappropriate and unbecoming of someone in his position.
Governor Mohammed’s Criticism of Tax Reforms
The controversy began when Governor Mohammed criticized the Tax Reform Bills introduced by the Tinubu administration, labeling them as anti-North and threatening to harm the unity of Nigeria.
The Governor expressed concerns that the reforms disproportionately benefited certain regions while leaving the North at a disadvantage. He also urged the Federal Government to reassess its policies to reflect the interests of all Nigerians, warning that ignoring public grievances could lead to unrest.
Presidency Responds to Governor’s Remarks
In response, the presidency described Mohammed’s comments as unfortunate and not reflective of the collective sentiment of the Northern region.
The presidency pointed out that Bauchi State had received N144 billion in federal allocations, a substantial increase from previous allocations, yet the state continued to struggle with significant developmental challenges and high poverty rates.
The presidency stressed that rather than making confrontational statements, Governor Mohammed should focus on improving his state’s governance by utilizing the available federal resources effectively. They emphasized that his remarks did not align with the constructive dialogue needed for national progress and that such rhetoric could potentially undermine efforts toward national cohesion.
Details of Federal Allocations and Tax Reforms
The presidency also defended the Tax Reform Act, highlighting its potential benefits for states, including Bauchi. They pointed out that Bauchi had received one of the highest increases in federal disbursements, including a special N2 billion food security fund for each state. Other benefits include the removal of fuel subsidy compensation payments, which have boosted state revenues, and special provisions for northern states’ interests through derivation funds.
In terms of tax reforms, the presidency outlined several advantages, including the streamlining of multiple tax systems that burden small businesses, enhanced revenue collection through digitalization, and protections for informal sector workers. These reforms are seen as particularly beneficial for Bauchi’s agricultural communities, a vital part of the state’s economy.
Call for Collaboration Over Confrontation
The presidency called on Governor Mohammed and other public officials to rise above regional, religious, and political sentiments and support President Tinubu’s efforts to improve the country. The statement emphasized that Nigeria’s development requires unity of purpose, with collaboration between state and federal governments being essential for overcoming the country’s challenges.
Public officials were urged to focus on constructive dialogue, efficient resource management, and national unity rather than divisive rhetoric. The presidency concluded with a reminder that the primary responsibility of political leaders is to improve the lives of their citizens, and this can best be achieved through collaboration and shared goals.
A Final Word of Advice
In conclusion, the presidency shared a proverb in Hausa, “Gyara kayanka baya zama sauke mu raba,” suggesting that it is important for the Governor to focus on improving his state’s situation before engaging in unnecessary confrontations.
This response underscores the need for unity and productive collaboration as Nigeria strives toward a prosperous future.
Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT chapter, Comrade Abdullahi Shafa, speaking after the meeting of the union leaders with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, today.
He hailed the FCT minister for his quick intervention.
Watch:
News
Court, arraigns four suspects, remands them in DSS custody, over Plateau killings, adjourns case till April 30
A Plateau State High Court on Thursday remanded four suspects in Department of State Services (DSS) custody over the March 2026 killings in Angwa Rukuba Community, Jos North LGA, and adjourned the case till April 30, 2026, for arraignment.
The arraignment of the suspects was not fully carried out due to the absence of defence counsels. They were arraigned in connection to the tragic killings of Angwan Rukuba community which occurred on March 28 and left no fewer than 30 persons dead including women and children.
The four suspects who were arraigned in Court in Jos on Thursday included Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, also known as Auwalu Dogo, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, also known as Yaroro, and others were alleged to have conspired to carry out the deadly attack.
The Plateau State Government had filed the charges against the suspects over the March 2026 killings in Angwa Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area.
The government said the suspects were arrested by the Department of State Services between April 3 and April 10, 2026, and have now been charged with offences including criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism and other related offences.
According to the charge filed by the State Attorney General, Philemon Daffi, the defendants acted “contrary to Section 269 and punishable under Section 270 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State, 2017.”
The charge stated, “That you… did conspire amongst yourselves to commit offences relating to terrorism when you planned, organised, facilitated, aided, and contributed money to carry out the attack in Angwan Rukuba… which led to the death of over thirty (30) people.”
When the case resumed on Thursday at Court 12 of the Plateau State High Court in Jos for arraignment, all the suspects who spoke through an interpreter sought for an adjournment to enable them to contact their counsels to represent them.
The prosecution counsel and Solicitor General of Plateau State, Joel Tagven, didn’t raise any objection to the defendant’s prayer to adjourn the matter.
He, however, appealed to the court for the suspects to be remanded in DSS custody pending the next adjourned case.
His plea was granted.
“Ordinarily, the matter is suppose to come up today but in view of the request of the accused demanding for lawyers, we can adjourn the case to enable them get lawyers of their choice. I also appeal that the suspected be remanded in DSS custody for easy access and continuation of investigation,” the Prosecution counsel said.
The presiding judge, Justice Gidelia FomYom, adjourned the case till 30th April 2026 for the arraignment of the suspects.
The suspects were immediately moved out of the court in a bus to the DSS facility.
In an interview with journalists, the Solicitor General of Plateau state appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the state with the enabling environment to prosecute the suspects in accordance with the law.
“We appreciate Mr. President for giving a marching order. And in fact, we appreciate him for four reasons. One, for giving the marching order whereupon the DSS made efforts which yielded to the arrest of these ones. Number two, the situation when met in the state over the years has been that prosecutions are not being done here in the state. The suspects are usually taken to Abuja and not prosecuted here.
“But today they’ve permitted us to prosecute them here. That is why we were arraigning them in court in the state here. And number three, you recall that when Mr. President came, he pledged or made an order that security materials, like the CCTV cameras and the like will be given to the state for purpose of security issues, and that will go a long way in helping to secure the state, and again, The issue of prosecuting them here, that’s another one.”
“This wasn’t the practice, but we give God the glory that this is now happening here, and it’s something to appreciate, Mr. President and the governor and even the Department of State Security for this collaboration and support to enable us have this matter prosecuted in the state,” the Solicitor General stated.
President Donald Trump on Thursday vowed the United States would destroy any vessel laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as he ratchets up pressure on Iran to reopen the crucial sea passage.
“I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be… that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
“There is to be no hesitation.
Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now.”
Iran has pledged it will keep the strategic strait closed to all but a trickle of approved vessels for as long as the United States blockades its ports, brushing off Trump’s demands.
Peace talks in Islamabad remain stalled, with Iran not confirming its participation and the stand-off battering the world economy.
“Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is!” Trump added Thursday.
He claimed the United States had “total control” over Hormuz and would only reopen it when Iran agreed to a peace deal.
FCT Teachers Strike: NUT Hails Wike Over Interventions In Education Sector(Video)
Court, arraigns four suspects, remands them in DSS custody, over Plateau killings, adjourns case till April 30
Trump Orders US Navy To Destroy Boats Laying Mines In Hormuz
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