ICPC Seizure Of Gov. Mohammed’s FCT Land: We’ve Been Vindicated – Bauchi APC
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The Bauchi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that unless the citizens of the State come together to stop Governor Bala Mohammed from appropriating the State, he may betray the trust reposed on him again.
The opposition APC in the state said that “A believer does not allow himself to be bitten twice from one hole”.
The Party which was reacting to a publication by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on the seizure of a property in Abuja, (Zinariya International) alleged to be linked to Governor Bala Mohammed, said that the indictment by the anti-graft agency has vindicated its opposition to the PDP led administration in Bauchi state.
The APC in a statement by its Media and Publicity Committee which was signed by Comrade Sabo Muhammad and Malam Saadu Umar, Chairman and Secretary/Member of the Committee respectively, implored the people of the state to join hands with it to protect the assets of the state and demand accountability from the PDP-led government.
The statement with the title: ‘Zinariya International: The Governor Betrayed His Trust’, the APC said it is appalled by the scandalous reports of the seizure of a property, Plot 298, Wuye District, Abuja, linked to Governor Bala Muhammad (GB) by the ICPC as released by the ICPC.
The APC noted that based on the release by the ICPC, Governor Bala Mohammed unlawfully allocated the property belonging to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to himself and his family while serving as the Minister of the FCT.
The APC said; “This appalling scandal would warrant a resignation or impeachment in saner climes! Thus, we hereby urge Mr. Governor to take the path of honour. We are equally aware of the allegations of breach of public trust and sundry corruption charges leveled against Governor Bala Mohammed by the EFCC. These allegations and his conduct in office so far – like the N3.6 billion Adda Nigeria Ltd Car (GB is alleged to be a Director in the Company) contract scandal – have continued to erode the confidence of the people of Bauchi State in the ability of Governor Mohammed to discharge his functions without mixing it with his personal interests.
“Since Governor Mohammed has allowed his personal interests and the interests of his family to influence his official conduct as the Minister of the FCT by unlawfully allocating land belonging to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to himself and his family, we are worried and have reasons to believe that Governor Mohammed may continue to be influenced by his personal interests and that of his family and friends in the discharge of his functions as the Governor of Bauchi State”.
The APC therefore urge the members of the State House of Assembly to be more proactive in their oversight duty and to hold the Governor to account, adding that the state legislators need to immediately start a thorough investigation of all the contracts signed by Governor Mohammed on behalf of State so as to be sure and tell the public to whose interests each and every of those contracts were signed for.
