Governor Abubakar Mohammed of Bauchi State has been enmeshed in corruption allegations since assuming the reins of governance on May 29, 2015. Forefront’s Special Correspondent, YAHAYA ABUBAKAR probes these allegations and why the citizens’ patience is slowly being overstretched
The atmosphere of optimism that trailed Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar’s inauguration as the Bauchi State Governor on May 29, 2015 seems to have given way to despair and despondency. Critics are up in arms with claims that since taking over the mantle of leadership as Chief Executive, the citizens have been entrapped in hopelessness and uncertainty over what many termed the slow pace of action by the Abubakar-led administration. Indeed, over eight months after his emergence as Bauchi number one citizen, the stone throwers are far from resting on their oars. They have continued to hurl tons of corruption allegations at Governor Abubakar, who promised to take the state to the Promised Land, having survived the so-called poverty-ridden days of former PDP administration. Already, concerned individuals and groups are alleging that the APC-led government is short-changing the populace and replacing new hopes with irredeemable gloom that threatens the future of Bauchi state and its people. A certain section of the polity claims Governor Abubakar is running the state as a personal fiefdom, and engaging only family members to manage its affairs to the detriment of others who fought to ensure his victory at the polls. Citing the Governor’s campaign promises that it would not be business as usual, political watchers alleged he has rendered the State Assembly as a mere rubber stamp with no capacity to check him and bring about the desired transparency and positive change in governance. Among groups currently putting Governor Abubakar on his toes over issues of good governance is the Bauchi Coalition Against Financial Crimes and Injustice (BACAFCI). According to BACAFCT’s Secretary, Malam Yakubu Alhaji Jibrin, it is regrettable that those charged with the responsibility of checking the governor have not only chosen to remain silent but prefer to look the other way in the face of visible poor governance. Jibrin said BACAFCI is determined to ensure Governor Abubakar answers all charges, especially his clear neglect of the polity despite electoral promises to emancipate the electorate from the misrule of previous administrations. One contentious issue is allegation that Governor Abubakar collected the sum of N4 billion dollars from the United Bank of Africa (UBA) as a loan facility with no focus on where to deploy the funds. In a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Coalition said, “We are aware that the Governor took a N4 billion loan offered by the UBA. It is indeed a notorious fact that the sum of N4 billion was granted to the Bauchi State Government at her instance for purpose of addressing urgent financial obligations confronting the State. The grant of the said loan was alleged to have enjoyed the approval of both the Executive Council of the State and members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, even when it was an incontestable fact that the State Executive Council of Bauchi State has not been constituted till date.” According to them, it is imperative to probe the “comprehensive list of those urgent financial obligations addressed with the N4 billion loan in Bauchi; also information relating to the various areas in Bauchi where those financial obligations arose, and how they were addressed. Moreover, we need information and evidence of approval by the State Executive Council and the State House of Assembly for the Bauchi State Government to obtain the loan.” Foreign Trip Another touchy issue that has attracted public attention is the official trip embarked on by the Governor to the Czech Republic. Even before stepping into the shoes left behind by former State’s helmsman, Alhaji Isa Yuguda, political opponents had accused Governor Abubakar of compromising his position by unduly accessing funds meant for overseas trips. Allegations are that the Governor’s son, Abubakar Sadiq, was among those who collected estacode for the trip classified as official. And the petitioners are therefore urging the government to provide information on how the Governor’s son was drafted as part of the entourage in a purely “an official engagement” and not a family affair. According to BACAFCI, “Surprisingly, Abubakar Sadiq, son of the Governor, was among the persons who travelled to Czech Republic, according to the memo for the approval of the funds for the trip. It also showed that Sadiq collected estacode and other travelling allowances. But it is a known fact that Abubakar Sadiq is not an official of government or the State; we hereby request the House of Assembly to summon the Governor for an explanation on why his son would collect estacode, as well as travelling allowances when he is not an official of the Government.” N6bn Contracts Award Without SEC’s Approval Before the appointment of Commissioners and other top government officials, Governor Abubakar allegedly approved two road contracts at the sum of N2 billion and N4 billion respectively. Many opponents of government claimed the contracts were awarded without due process while the costs were inflated. The N2 billion road project from the CBN Roundabout to Railway Roundabout is only about four kilometers and already the sum of N2 billion has been approved for its rehabilitation. “Is the state government saying that the cost of constructing one kilometre road is N500 million? Why is the state government not coming out clean to tell the people the actual costs because many have cause to believe it was inflated to take care of certain pecuniary interests? It is against the law for the Governor to award a contract that is worth more than N50 million without the approval of the State Executive Council. These two contracts which are far above the State Governor’s approval limit have breached existing legal provisions. As at the time the contracts were awarded, there was no State Executive Council and no tenders issued for the contracts,” a source confided in our correspondent. N5m Imprest for Governor’s Wife? It is also alleged the Governor’s wife currently receives the sum of N5 million as monthly imprest through the State Ministry of Women Affairs. A source that pleaded anonymity, claimed the Governor only approved the sum of N3 million as monthly imprest, but the Ministry is going above that figure to release five million Naira to her. One insider told Forefront that, “Since this administration came on board, the Governor’s wife has collected the sum of about N30 million as imprest from June 2015 till date. Considering the fact that there are no constitutional roles for Governor’s wives in the affairs of governance, such amount could have been channeled to people’s-oriented projects. It would have gone a long way to settle the backlog of arrears for retirees whose gratuities are yet to be paid.” “However, there is nowhere in the constitution which stipulates the Governor’s wife is entitled to an imprest, since she is not an employee of government or an elected official. In fact, we are all aware that there is no Office of the First Lady, even at the Presidency because President Muhammadu Buhari is not operating such. So, as an APC Governor, Alhaji Abubakar should be following the President’s footsteps. Secondly, why should the Ministry of Women Affairs approved an imprest for her when she is not an official of the Ministry?” a group opposed to the Governor queried. Depletion of LGs’ Funds Opponents of the administration are accusing Governor Abubakar of not only refusing to release but also diverting funds meant for local government councils in the state into undisclosed ventures. Our source said many citizens had hoped that the new administration would change things around for good given that the situation, now in place for over six years, has rendered the local councils ineffective due to their precarious financial state. “The continued diversion of local councils’ funds by the State government under Governor Abubakar’s leadership has led to councils’ staff being owed arrears of their entitlements for months. However, aside salary payment for local government workers, not much has been seen in terms of development at the various local government areas of the State. The question that begs for answer is this: What has the state government done with the funds due to the 20 local government councils from the Federation account in the past six months?” the source questioned. “It is on record that from May 2015 when he took over power, the allocation to local councils in the state has remained in the region of over N17 billion. Apart from the N1 billion request from the State governor to the State Assembly, it is on record the allocations to the 20 local councils has been collected by the state government amounting to N17, 570,203,162.42” our source added. Forefront learnt Governor Abubakar had approached the State House of Assembly to approve a N1 billion loan for the renovation of primary schools in the state, a request which the House turned down. It is however confirmed the Assembly has directed its House Committee on Ethics to look into the allegations and ascertain their veracity before a final decision would be taken on the matter. Spending of N8bn bailout Fund There are worries that since the Federal Government approved and released bailout funds to some state that of Bauchi has been shrouded in secrecy, with the government keeping sealed lips over what has become of the said funds. According to a competent source, “For many government workers in the state, the expectation was that the newly installed administration would work towards resolving outstanding issues confronting the work force. Regrettably, the state government has refused to do that, with most public sector workers abandoned and exposed to untold hardship due to unpaid pensions to retirees and undue delay in payment of salaries. I think the approval and release of bailout funds to some states have become a serious challenge and particularly the Bauchi state government has been unable to make good use of the funds for the purpose meant for.” Most worrisome is that the state government has refused to disclose the actual amount received from the Federal Government’s bailout funds. Unlike other states like Adamawa and Kaduna that disclosed the amounts and the purpose they intend to deploy the funds, Bauchi State government has not been forthcoming on the matter. “Unfortunately, in our dear state, Bauchi, the governor has refused to present the figure as well as the breakdown of the bailout fund; how it was utilized; and the various sub-heads covered. We have not forgotten so soon, when the Governor stated that his government will always promote transparency, accountability and openness. We therefore if this is the transparency, accountability and openness he promised the people of Bauchi State. According to BACAFCI “We are aware gratuities of retirees in Bauchi State have not been paid up till now, even after collecting the bailout funds from the Federal Government. For transparency sake as promised by the Governor, we urge the state lawmakers to request from Governor Mohammed Abubakar vivid details and accounts on how the bailout funds were expended.” The Governor Mohammed is also accused of keeping sealed lips over various funds mobilized from diverse accounts maintained by previous administrations with a view to arriving at the exact figures. “Rather than the governor opening up on some of the issues troubling the minds of the citizens, it is sad that he has kept mute and no one knows what is in the secret accounts as claimed by him; and we don’t know that what has happened to the money”, the group, which has described his leadership style as lackluster, declared. Another group in the State, ‘Youth Arise for Good Governance’, submitted their worries thus: “What about the transparency; openness; and accountability he promised us during his electoral campaigns? The State Assembly members should ask him to explain how much was found in the different accounts and what happened to the funds found therein.” Government’s Response Contacted for comments on the matter, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Yakubu Ibn Mohammed, referred the issue to the Press Secretary, Abubakar Safiyanu al-Sadique for appropriate response. In an email to Forefront on some issues raised in the petitions, the state government described the entire allegations as false. According to the statement, Bauchi state was the first in the country, “to judiciously use the bailout funds to pay backlog of four months salaries arrears owed workers by the preceding administration. Where was the so-called Bauchi Coalition Against Financial Crimes and Injustice (BACAFCI) when the past administration diverted and misapplied workers salaries running into several months? Apart from diverting workers’ salaries, past administrations in the state also spent over six billion naira in the name of security votes and yet the so-called Bauchi Coalition Against Financial Crimes and Injustice did not see any element of corruption in the past administration that warranted rushing to press with advertorials because the leadership of that phantom organization was part and parcel of that government.” The statement explained that since Governor Abubakar took over the reins of power, he has set up several committees aimed at turning things around for the overall good of the state and its citizens. “Apart from the Committee on recovery of property, Governor Abubakar has only recently constituted another high powered Committee to investigate the awards of major contracts and payments made from May 2007 to May 2015 in the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), State Ministry of Local Government Affairs and State Specialists’ Hospital, Bauchi. The Committee’s assignment, which has already commenced, is also expected to cover all other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)”. Justifying the Governor’s foreign trips, the governor’s spokesman defended the decision, saying it was a trip undertaken to forge strategic partnership in skill acquisition with foreign investors and development partners. “Already, the visit has resulted in the construction of road networks by the Czechs at the Yankari Game Reserve. As a result of the said visit, a mutually beneficial working relationship with regards to revamping the State’s tourism potential through the enhancement of wild life conservation and anti-poaching method at the Yankari Game Reserve and various works are being completed to ensure that all facilities, such as potable water, power, telecom, internet facilities, game viewing vehicles, Kitchen/restaurant, furniture and linens, etc, at the Yankari Game Reserve are befitting and functional.” The spokesperson further stated that at its inception, the administration met no single serviceable fire fighting truck in the whole of the state but now things have changed now and it is visible for every well meaning citizen of Bauchi to see and appreciate what the Governor and his team are doing. Absolving Governor Abubakar from any form of complicity, the statement said the governor’s track record is devoid of any form of corruption, adding that, “The anti-corruption stance of this administration is unequalled in the history of Bauchi State because in its first year in office, the administration has been able to save nearly a billion Naira from what used to be pilfered from the conduct of the Hajj through renegotiation of the costs of accommodation and other expenses that were normally incurred, though the government nevertheless provided befitting accommodation, medical services and other basic requirements for the State’s pilgrims at Saudi-Arabia during the 2015 Hajj Exercise”
