By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has refuted alleged plans to defect to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), describing it as false, malicious and unfounded.
This was contained in a press statement titled: Re:False Claims on Governor Bala Mohammed’s Alleged Plan to Defect to Peoples Redemption Party ( PRP), his Media Aide, Comrade Mukhtar Gidado, made available to Journalists in Bauchi.
“Our attention has been drawn to a mischievous statement credited to the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Redemption Party, (PRP), in Bauchi State, alleging that Governor Bala Mohammed is not welcome to join the party.”
“Ordinarily, such a baseless remark would have been dismissed as the ramblings of an attention-seeker desperate for relevance. However, experience has shown that silence in the face of falsehood can be misconstrued as acquiescence. Hence, this rejoinder.”
”To begin with, the statement attributed to the PRP State Secretary is not only false but a figment of the author’s imagination. We state unequivocally that at no time has Governor Bala Mohammed contemplated leaving the PDP, let alone initiating any move to defect to another party or making overtures to the PRP in Bauchi State.”
”On the contrary, it is common knowledge that Governor Mohammed has been at the forefront of rescuing the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), from the contrived crises engineered anti-democratic forces bent on turning Nigeria into a one-party dictatorship.
“Governor Mohammed’s leadership credentials require no further validation. They have been acknowledged both within and beyond Bauchi State, underscored his decisive victories over the PRP in two fiercely contested elections”.
”Today, Bauchi State stands as a regional force in Nigeria testimony to a government that prioritises governance over grandstanding, people over power, and empowerment and inclusion over the indulgence of a few at the expense of the majority”.
”It is within this noble vision of empowerment and emancipation that the restructuring of traditional institutions and the devolution of powers must be understood. That the PRP fails to appreciate the benefits of such bold reforms only exposes the hollowness of a party progressive in name but retrogressive in character.”
“By issuing this unfortunate statement, if indeed sanctioned its leadership, the PRP has revealed its true colours. The good people of Bauchi State are reminded that all that glitters is not gold.”
“More importantly, they are urged to remain vigilant, ensuring that the hard-won gains of recent years in empowerment, infrastructure, rural development, urban renewal, and tourism are not entrusted to bellyaching ideologues whose stock-in-trade is habitual criticism of every government.”
“Let it be said clearly: despite the treachery faced the PDP and the constraints of time, nothing , absolutely nothing , will distract Governor Bala Mohammed from his unwavering commitment to the development of Bauchi State.”
”Finally, it must be placed on record that, in line with his inalienable right to freely associate in pursuit of a stable and prosperous polity, Governor Mohammed , like any citizen , reserves the right to determine his future political alignments.”
“Should that time ever arise, such a decision will not be dictated the dubious machinations of political turncoats who thrive on falsehood and malice.” The statement read in parts.