Bala Mohammed says absence from visit to Tinubu’s house not political
By Jeffrey Agbo
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has dismissed speculation that his absence from the New Year visit of governors to President Bola Tinubu’s Lagos residence was politically motivated.
On Wednesday, governors under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) visited Tinubu at his Ikoyi home. Prominent attendees included Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Babagana Zulum (Borno), and others. However, Governor Mohammed, who chairs the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, was noticeably absent, sparking rumour of political tension.
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Earlier in the week, the Presidency accused the governor of issuing threats against the president, while Mohammed countered by accusing the Presidency of blackmail and reiterating his opposition to the reforms.
Mukhtar Gidado, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, clarified in his response to enquiry on Thursday that Mohammed’s absence was due to the loss of his 102-year-old stepmother, Hauwa Duguri, who passed away on New Year’s Day.
“The governor has been restless. As I speak to you, we are in his country home in Duguri, mourning her loss.
“It is uncalled for to link the governor’s absence to his recent exchanges with the Presidency,” Gidado stated, dismissing any connection to recent disputes between Mohammed and the Presidency over tax reforms.
