Bauchi State

By Muhammad Sabiu

Reports reaching The Daily Reality have indicated an angry mob in Chinade town, Bauchi State’s Katagum Local Government Area, set fire to a suspected motorcycle thief.

According to a source in Chinade, the crime occurred on Sunday, and the suspect took the motorcycle from Hardawa Market in the state’s Misau LGA.

He said the suspect fled with the motorcycle but was apprehended and beaten to a pulp before being set ablaze in Chinade town.

Ahmed Wakil, a Superintendent of Police for the state police, confirmed the homicide in a statement and stated the investigation was still on.

“The Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, Umar Mamman Sanda, has ordered a thorough investigation into the barbaric and dehumanising act of jungle justice meted out to the suspect by some irate youths in Chinade.

“While reacting to the ugly incident, the CP frowned on the action of the irate youths, who, instead of taking the suspect to the police for proper investigation and prosecution, mobbed him to death for allegedly stealing a motorcycle without any recourse to the law,” the statement of the police commissioner read.

Communities in Bauchi State State have for over a long time been badly affected by the activities of motorcycle thieves, who, in many cases, would gruesomely murder the owner of the bike before snatching it.

Considering what reports have indicated, the Bauchi metropolis could be the most affected place in the state with respect to such criminal acts.

By Sulaiman Maijama’a

This is a complex piece to write. How can anyone following my writings from the start of the Bala Mohammed’s led-administration not submit that I have been a hailer of this government? In 2020, to celebrate Gov. Bala’s first anniversary in office, I dedicated a fifteen-paragraph piece titled, “Gov. Bala @365 day: Journey so far”, in which I dwelled much on the governor’s giant strides, despite inheriting a failed government.

In his second year, it was a thirty-five-paragraph piece I wrote titled, “Two years under review: Bauchi State wears a new face”. These are apart from the weekly piece I used to write, which, if aggregated, would produce a voluminous book—all in an attempt to unveil the achievements and areas of strength of this government. 

This year as the governor marks his three years in office, it should be a time for sober reflection and critical thinking on the underperformed areas, or to put it more appropriately, areas more need to be done.

I feel I will not be fair to the governor if I don’t help him embark on self-assessment and self-criticism to increase his speed.

“Verily, political power is a vicegerency from Allah and a stewardship from God’s Apostle”, says Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdulkarim (as quoted in “Principles of Leadership”). Caliph Muhammad Bello is quoted in “Usul al-Siyasa” to have said, “be informed, my brother, that one of the most serious misfortunes that may befall a servant of Allah is to be a leader for the consequences of having to render a full account of the office.” On this note, leaders at all levels need to be reminded of the responsibilities they are saddled with.

There is no iota of doubt that, under the leadership of Senator Bala Muhammad, Bauchi State has become the Ameerah among its sisters in Nigeria in terms of infrastructural development. Bala Mohammed has actualised a gleaming new city. Suppose one is to aggregate the number of infrastructural projects so far executed in the state and divide them by the number of days within three years (1095 days). In that case, they will discover that no single day passed on without a project since Bala Mohammed assumed responsibility as the Executive Governor of Bauchi State.

However, beyond physical projects, have other sectors not been forgotten? Has education received the priority it is worth?  Someone will say that His Excellency has built new model schools and upgraded and renovated many. Yes, sure, I cited them many times as achievements. But beyond the surface, what about the teachers’ welfare, salaries, and allowances? To the best of my knowledge, since His Excellency came in, no single teacher in Bauchi State has been promoted. More importantly, we do not have a single strategic policy for improving the standard of education. These can defeat the aim of the polished model schools.

Let me remind His Excellency that during the previous administration of Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar, he used to have a Special Adviser on Students’ Affairs, the position Governor Bala is yet to appoint, despite its importance. It seems ironic that governor Bala has SA for unmarried women but does not have one for students. Maybe the absence of this position is the reason for the tribulation befalling the indigene students of Bauchi State because they do not have anyone, appointed apart from a commissioner, to stand for them and to speak their voices.

Governor Bala is passionate about quality education because appointing Dr Aliyu Tilde as Commissioner for Education indicates that. But I don’t know the wisdom behind the termination of the sponsorship of 200 students of Malikiyya College of Health whose sponsorship was offered by the previous administration. Some of them had to give up schooling for a lack of financial capacity.

In the same vein, international scholarship, which is obtainable in sister stateslike Kano (where super-intelligent students are sponsored to study abroad), has been terminated. The local scholarship was paid only once and partially disbursed to only a few students whose institutions are in Bauchi State. Similarly, I don’t know if His Excellency is aware that the medical bond given to medical students as stipends by the previous administration has been disrupted, despite the challenges of the health sector. As the saying goes, “Health is wealth” and “education is the backbone of every development”. These students are an asset to our society. Thus, however much is invested in them will eventually payback. His Excellency needs to ponder on this.

On the issue of salaries, there still exists a problem. Not only that, people worry why despite death, retirement and a record of no employment, there has been an exponential rise in the Bauchi State wage bill from N4.5 billion to N7billion?  I’m not unaware of the fact that to address the challenges on the issue, the governor, on Thursday, September 10th, 2020, hosted a Media Parley with civil servants, labour leaders, government officials, elder statesmen, stakeholders and the media where massive corruption in the system was exposed. But recommendations were made by the financial consulting firm, DYNATECH Solutions Limited, contracted by the state government, but nothing seems to be improving. Some civil servants still spend months without a salary. They are suffocating.

Some people tell the governor that no government is without fault; every government comes with its shortcoming. Frankly, in Bauchi State, it comes with any flaws but not issues of salaries because Bauchi is a civil servants state. We like His Excellency, but we fear his opponents will use this to their advantage and campaign against him.

On the other hand, business people in the state have also been registering their discontent. His Excellency may have forgotten that during his campaign at Central Market, Bauchi, he promised that, if elected, he would inject into the annual budget,  Five Hundred Million Naira (500 000 000) earmarked as a loan to business people in the state. I believe this will be a good initiative and will help improve business. But, alas, three years have gone, and it is yet to be actualised. 

Similarly, His Excellency should begin to see to the welfare of his people, especially politicians who had made sacrifices to ensure that he comes on board. Honestly, many of them are not better than those in opposition party, despite their contributions and closeness to this government. These people may not summon the courage to tell the governor, but they open up when you speak to them off the record. Therefore, you cannot accuse them of anticipating a payoff from the government they brought in. Let me borrow Mahmud Jega’s words: to accuse a politician of expecting something in return from the government they supported and brought in is like accusing a person who attends prayers of expecting to be rewarded in the hereafter.

There are many ways these people can be helped. Why not learn from Jigawa State by giving them small-small contracts? Say, Mr. “A” bring the furniture to SSG’s office, give him N500 000;  Mr. “B” provide fuel for official cars in the governor’s office, 1 000 000; Mr. “C” bring chemicals for washing toilets in the government house;  produce chairs in primary schools;  build bathroom among others. Don’t give them a contract above N5 Million. They will still appreciate and be contented. With this, money will be circulating among people, thereby increasing the welfare of all and sundry. Being a staunch supporter of this government, I don’t want to believe that the contract is for “family and friends”, a slogan this administration is taunted with. 

Finally, I commiserate with the governor on his defeat in the recent PDP Presidential Primary Election. Keep the dream alive; the future holds a lot. We still need him as the executive governor of our dear state. One year is enough for him to remedy the observations mentioned above, which I raised out of concern.

My best wishes.

Maijama’a, Faculty of Communication, Bayero University, Kano. He can be reached via sulaimanmaija@gmail.com.

By Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani

Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar needs the support of the APC faithful and, by extension, the good people of Bauchi State to win the 2023 governorship election.

We hope his victory at the just concluded primary election will be a turning point for uniting the party and mark a positive difference – if God gives him the leadership of our dear State in the 2023 general election.

In terms of competence, yes, he’s indeed equal to the task to salvage the people of Bauchi and impact positively on our lives. 

The unity of our party at this juncture is paramount. Therefore, we call on other contenders and all stakeholders to rally around him in giving a new face to the progress and ideals of the party. It’s the foundation the party is built on. However, the task is not expected to be easy, but repositioning the party and moving Bauchi State forward is the people’s expectation. 

We shall move together to make APC’s success achievable in the forthcoming election. The new bride, who’s versatile and indeed a rare gem, can give us new hope for the betterment of our people.

So let’s rally around this formidable candidate with the capacity to take APC back to Ramat House in 2023, in sha Allah!

Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani writes from Galadima Mahmoud street kasuwar kaji Azare.

By Umar Sani Yakubu

It has been over a week since the arrest and eventual detention of a students’ leader and critic, Comrade Aminu Harsanu Guyaba, after being presented before the court of law. He was charged at the court for criticising the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, His Excellency Sen. Bala Muhammad Abdulkadir.

However, since then, several appeals and, in some instances, protests were conducted virtually (on media platforms) and physically calling on the state government and authorities for his release. This was done by students and his comrades claiming that there were many government critics all over the media doing more than what Guyaba did, and no one cared to stop or question their activities.

To some, the arrest of Guyana is nothing but a show of lack of resistance to criticism on the part of His Excellency as against his being an experienced and standstill politician that has been going around the country presenting himself to be. Thus, whatever people may have or want to conclude in the future, yesterday, 24 May 2022, Aminu Harsanu Guyaba celebrated one of his best days in detention. This is a day that brought his family the joy of their lives. We would have celebrated his birthday in front of a designated cake round with flowers and balloons among his family members, friends and other compatriots of a feather.

Unfortunately, only God knows what a situation he is passing through wherever he is. Who knows if he can even remember what this day is to him as against the usual remainder by Media platforms, banks and loved ones? What a pity?

Emphatically, as we did days ago, we want to remind His Excellency that Aminu Harsanu Guyaba is his child who was there through thick and thin to see that his government was brought to power. Furthermore, he has played a vital role in campaigning and securing votes for him. Therefore, we believe that Guyaba deserves better treatment from His Excellency no matter the grievance. Hence, Aminu is not more than a child that Kauran Bauchi could order to kneel and discipline.

We believe our outcry will not be like that of a fowl because many people from afar have started laughing at our government and us.

Sani writes from Bauchi and can be reached at saniumaryakubu@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Bauchi State Commissioner for Education, Dr Aliyu U. Tilde, has replied to Peoples Gazette newspaper over his condemnation of Deborah Samuel, who made derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in a WhatsApp voice note.

Recall that Deborah was killed and set ablaze by an angry mob over the insult she rained on the Prophet, which caused outrage at the Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto, where she was a student. Protests erupted in parts of the northwestern state over the arrest of those suspected to be part of the mob action.

In a post on his Facebook page, the Bauchi commissioner condemned Deborah’s remarks, noting that “baki shi ke yanka wuya”, which can roughly mean “what you say lands you in trouble.”

However, a report by Peoples Gazette, a newspaper many people accused of being involved in gonzo journalism, claims that “Bauchi commissioner for education Aliyu Tilde endorses murder of Deborah Samuel, tells Christians to undergo psychiatric test.”

In a short rejoinder he posted on Facebook, Dr Tilde said, “No Regret

“Anyone that is not touched by that high degree of provocation is insensitive. Children must be taught to respect others. If Jesus (May peace be upon him) is insulted will say the same.

“You are free to fabricate lies and attach to my statement. That is your business. But don’t deceive yourself by thinking you’re a good Christian. You are a bad one.

“I have watched and read many Christians condemn what Deborah said.”

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is the most respected, loved, and obeyed human being to the Muslim faithful. According to Islam, he was the last Messenger of Allah, who is the greatest among all other Prophets and Messengers.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

A father of a four-year-old girl, Khadijah Abdullahi, popularly known as “Ilham” has recounted the traumatic incident of how his neighbour allegedly connived with some people, kidnapped and killed his daughter after collecting ransom at Tilden Fulani, Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi state. 

Speaking to The Daily Reality, the father, Abdullahi Yusuf, said the girl was abducted during the Ramadan fasting period on April 11, 2022. But according to the Nigeria Security & Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), they received this shocking information on Saturday, 23rd of April, 2022.

Yusuf narrated how the suspect mercilessly strangled the little Ilham to death and later buried her in the kitchen of his house, and kept on demanding more ransom.

The prime suspect, identified as Alhaji Kabiru Abdullahi, was said to have sympathized with the victim’s father and joined a group of people who trooped out in search of the innocent Ilham before the investigation pinned him down. Though, another suspect, Alhaji Yawale was apprehended by the NSCDC officers of Toro Division.

The incident has left the Tilden Fulani community in great fear, as parents were left in the dark.

A source, Hussaini Narabi, confided in our reporter that they took to their social media platforms to announce the mysterious disappearance of the little Ilham and post her pictures.

He said, “However, Ilham was not found, but the alleged abductor was arrested by the security personnel.”

My last moment with little Ilham – father

Recounting the traumatic experience, Abdullahi Yusuf, the father of the murdered innocent girl, said he had a joyous moment with his little kid before he finally made for the market where he was running his business. 

He said, “It happened one Friday when Ilham went out in the company of her little friends to school. In the early hours of that day, before I went to the market, Ilham came to me with excitement asking me to buy her biscuit. 

“Sadly enough, on that same day, I was called by her mother around 5 pm to inform me that Ilham was missing. I didn’t hesitate to run back home.

“We trooped in search of Ilham, unknown to us that we will never see her again. Despite an exhaustive search for her, we went back home hopelessly as the search was fruitless. 

“A few days later, the abductors contacted me demanding for N1million ransom. They resolved to accept N150,0000 after a serious bargain.

‘Suspect spying on me’

Yusuf said he began to suspect his neighbour, Alhaji Kabiru, when he sent his son to spy on him every morning. 

He said, “One day when the boy came in early in the morning, I threatened to break his legs if I ever saw him again in such hours. 

“Two days later, my neighbour packed to another area without informing me. Since then, I began suspecting him. So I went ahead to tell the police who came to investigate the matter. 

“On seeing them, the man, to the surprise of anyone, began to yell for help atop his voice. They arrested him. And after a thorough investigation, the man confessed to both kidnapping and killing my little Ilham. 

Yusuf described his neighbour as ruthless when he saw IIlham’s corpse as she was unburied. 

Speaking, the Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakili, confirmed the incident but said the case is yet to be brought to the command.

He said, “The case is with Bauchi State Civil Defence. I watched it on TV news. But they are yet to bring the case to the police.”

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Six passengers in two commercial trucks were killed in an auto accident on the Bauchi–Kano expressway in Bauchi State on Tuesday.

According to an eyewitness, the collision occurred about 12:15 p.m., involving a Sharon Ford and a Volkswagen Golf transporting groceries.

The passengers in both vehicles, according to the witness, were burned beyond recognition after a head-on collision.

When contacted, Rilwan Adamu, spokesman for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Bauchi State Sector Command, said he would make details of the accident accessible to the press following the rescue operation.

However, details in respect of the accident have so far not emerged.

By Mallam Musbahu Magayaki

It’s no longer news that the uncontrollable fire outbreak on Monday, March 21, 2022, in Azare central motor park consumed millions of Naira properties, and others were left casualties.

However, if you can vividly remember, on Friday, April 02, 2021, Katagum Local Government Area’s firefighting truck had a tragedy on its way to an emergency salvage. The occupants of the zone have been lamenting, on top of their voices, over the provision of an out-of-order firefighting truck. Sadly, their tears have not yet been wiped out by the governor.

Since our firefighting truck had an accident that resulted in its damage, the executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, has been playing possum with incessant fire outbreaks.

Since the firefighting system was damaged nearly a year ago, many lives, particularly those of children and women, have been lost due to uncontrolled violent fire outbreaks on properties worth millions of naira.

The people of Katagum LGA and the entire constituents of Bauchi North are completely taken aback by the enigmatic silence of the government. They voted for the governor, expecting him to keep his mind on serving them from the bottom of his heart, regardless of region, tribe, or ethnicity.

We expect our governor to be that good listener leader. But, Governor Bala’s mysterious silence and the way he turns a blind ear to the constant fire outbreaks consuming the lives of innocent people of our LGA signal as if he is not an empathetic leader.

In conclusion, we, the people of Katagum LGA and the entire constituents of Bauchi North, are begging Allah (SWT), weeping and pleading with Him to make our governor empathise with us and wipe off our tears by providing a new firefighting truck for us, amin.

Mallam Musbahu Magayaki wrote from Sabon Fegi, Azare, Bauchi State. He can be reached via musbahumuhammad258@gmail.com

By Muhammad Sagir Bauchi

As the political atmosphere in the country started to get momentum, top political actors are back on the strategy board to put down action and execution plans for successful campaigns and elections victory. Overnight, some controversial politicians are now running away from their once arrogant and nonchalant attitudes to a born-again one, thereby looking away from whatever may dent their newly ‘customised integrity’. As a result, the usual campaign promises of provision of security, creating job opportunities, fighting against corruption, etc., now appears unsaleable talking points to the electorates as they once were.

News of the inter-party crossover from some prominent politicians like former Speaker Hon. Yakubu Dogara (PDP-APC), Matawalle of Zamfara (PDP-APC), Kwankwaso (PDP-NNPP), etc., are making headlines.

Hon. Yakubu Dogara is one of the major political figures in Bauchi State politics. His role in ousting the previous governor of the state would never be neglected or underestimated. He played a vital role in his constituency and other spheres of the system.

When he decamped from PDP, the party that brought the present administration of Governor Bala Muhammad, several opinions were expressed in respect to that. To some, he joined the ruling party in anticipation of giving him the party leadership (i.e National Chairman of the party). While, to others, he was craving for the seat of Vice-President, in case the party ticket is won by a Southern Muslim. In present Nigeria, a Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket at the presidential ticket is a non-starter, as it will polarise the country, create chaos and mistrust.

Of the two opinions surrounding the decamping of Dogara, none could totally be disregarded as they contain some elements of truth. For instance, If APC assigns Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its flag bearer, the party must pick a Northern Christian politician with popularity, high political experienced and wide acceptance among the regional religious, political and traditional leaders/institutions. The aim is to convince the electorates to go out and vote for the party on the election day. Dogara is one of those Northern Christians with broad appeal and political experience. But, can he win the confidence of his Northern block to vote for their ticket?

For that answer, we have to examine the current political doings and his image in his home state, Bauchi, to answer that question.

The present political situation in the state is a bit complicated. We all witnessed how his doings in his constituency influenced the emergence of the current governor of the state during the last gubernatorial elections. Still, events have overtaken the once-political comrades’ romance between him and the governor. His popularity has significantly dropped in 2/3 of the constituency he’s representing. And that could affect his future career in the state and beyond. Therefore, the Dogara factor alone cannot influence Northerners to vote for his party.

Now, away from Dogara to the party at large. Months ago, APC Governor’s Forum paid an unexpected visit to the former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Of course, we did not know what was discussed during the visit. Still, looking at how the party is desperate to retain the president’s seat, it’ll be hard to disconnect it from what the Hausa people termed as “gaisuwa da ro’kon iri”. So they visited him, likely to ask for his blessing, sympathy and support to use his influence in the South-South to canvass support for their party flag bearer during elections. Or maybe, to lure him into accepting to contest for the presidency on the party ticket. 

If we take the party entirely and put it on a scale, we can see that the party is in a dilemma of who to be entrusted with the party ticket to retain the presidential seat. But looking at how the party zoned the national party executives, now it is clear that the flag of the party would come from the South.

Among the top Southern candidates that expressed interest in the presidency are Vice President Yemi Osibanjo and the party leader, Bola Tinubu. One of these two have every chance to win the party primaries. But, who among them can be an easy sale to all the regions of the country? Would the old rivalry between Igbos and Yorubas resurrect and allow Igbos to support anyone of them? Only time would tell.

But in the North, despite the significant drop in trust and popularity of President Muhammadu Buhari, there still exist those supporters that will go for whoever PMB anointed to succeed him at the polls. But many will be in a dilemma of choosing between one of their own, an outsider or may even decide not to vote.

After the country’s return to Democratic rule, PMB was among those with a desperate ambition to rule the country again. He contested three times but lost at general elections. Fortunately for him, he won at his fourth outing. Unfortunately, during his failed bids, his body language was that he only relied on the votes of his fellow Northerners.

By 2010, Buhari realised that that illusion wouldn’t give him the presidency. So, he aligned/merges his one-man party, CPC, with an umbrella forum of some rebellious and highly influential mainstream politicians from the ruling party, nPDP, ANPP and the Southwest’s AC to form the APC. This conglomeration of parties (merger) is what solely got him the presidency.

With all honesty, looking back at the significant contribution of the Southwest politicians, this is the right time for him to pay back those that helped him actualise his presidential ambition with the party ticket on a platter of gold, especially to a Southwestern candidate.

There’s not much tension within the PDP due to their discipline and expertise in handling intra-party conflict. However, the party must be careful with an emerging conflict from Wazirin Adamawa and governors’ overzealous ambitions. In addition, they must learn from their 2015 avoidable mistake that cost them the elections and government.

Sagir Ibrahim is a graduate of Economics from the Department of Economics, Bauchi State University Gadau. He can be reached via ibrahimsagir1227@gmail.com.

By Tijjani Muhammad Musa

On a Friday, Tilden Fulani in Toro Local Government of Bauchi State witnessed something unique and rare in the marriage nikah of 18 years old Muhammad Ahmad Salihu and his bride Sumayyah Adam Ibrahim who is just 16!

According to our sources, the event which took place at the Ahlussunnah Wal Jama’a Izala Central Mosque of Tilden Fulani town was conducted in peaceful, exciting celebrations and fanfare.

With the Muslim Fulani lot of Northern Nigeria, it is a common thing to marry young. Marriage is often the preferred option once love and mutual understanding are arrived at rather than engage in illicit sex outside matrimony.

“And marry the unmarried among you and the righteous among your male slaves and female slaves. If they should be poor, Allah will enrich them from His bounty, and Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” [Qur’an, 24:32]

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘O young men, whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding chastity, and whoever cannot then he should fast, for it will be a restraint (wija’) for him.’ [Sunan an-Nasa’i, 3209]

So a sincere and hearty congratulations to the Ango (groom) and his Amarsu (bride). May Allaah SWT bless this early nuptial union. May He grant them peace and bless them with blissful offsprings and means of daily sustenance, amin.