The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has criticised Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed over the alleged mismanagement of state resources and governance lapses.
Tuggar made the remarks in an interview with Liberty TV on Monday, which was monitored by our correspondent.
His comments follow the governor’s recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, particularly concerning the proposed tax reforms.
Tuggar expressed surprise at Mohammed’s remarks, questioning his moral authority to criticise the Federal Government while accusing him of failing to effectively utilise the increased allocations to Bauchi State.
According to Tuggar, the state has received significantly higher funds in recent months, with ₦8.8bn in October and ₦9bn in November. However, these resources have reportedly not resulted in tangible development for the people.
The minister alleged that instead of addressing critical issues like education, healthcare, and infrastructure, the governor has been involved in questionable financial practices, including the acquisition of properties and land from citizens.
“First of all, when it comes to the talk of money, he should not involve himself because the earnings of Bauchi State and the allocation it is receiving from the centre have doubled.
“We have not seen any improvement, no change in what he is doing. In October, he received N8.8bn, but he has not shown us what he did with it. In November, he received N9bn.
“Instead of using the money for social services and infrastructure, such as education, health, and addressing out-of-school children, he is busy using such funds to buy properties and land from the poor citizens of Bauchi. This affects both the rich and the poor,” he said.
He accused Mohammed of expropriating land from subsistence farmers and urban residents under the guise of commercial farming and redevelopment projects. Tuggar claimed these actions have worsened poverty and displaced many.
Tuggar also mentioned instances of evictions in Bauchi City’s Government Reserved Areas, where properties are allegedly being purchased and demolished for unclear purposes.
He described these actions as a continuation of practices the governor was known for during his tenure as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister concluded by urging the governor to focus on addressing the challenges facing Bauchi State rather than criticising the President. He added that President Tinubu’s policies are transparent and designed to address national issues.
“He should not be the one questioning anything Mr President is doing. Besides, what Mr President is doing is open, it’s transparent, and it’s there for all to see,” he remarked.
Tuggar suggested that the governor’s recent comments might be politically motivated, hinting at aspirations for higher office despite what he described as a poor track record in public service.