The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Y. Suleiman, has criticized former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, over what he termed a “verbose, baseless, and self-serving diatribe” against Governor Bala Mohammed.
Suleiman described Mohammed as a statesman whose leadership transcends personal interest and political maneuvering.
In a statement, Suleiman described Dogara’s allegations as a desperate attempt to tarnish the reputation of a leader committed to the progress of Bauchi State.
According to him, the governor’s record of service, grassroots appeal, and commitment to governance earned him the people’s mandate, not backroom deals or personal favors. He dismissed Dogara’s claims of betrayal, calling them a distortion of political realities.
Addressing Dogara’s allegation that Governor Bala lacked financial capacity to run his 2018 campaign, Suleiman stated that the governor’s success was built on collective support from the people.
He said: “Unlike politicians who rely solely on personal wealth, Governor Bala Mohammed’s leadership thrives on inclusivity and transparency. His campaign was powered by trust, not the whims of a single individual.”
The Speaker also refuted Dogara’s accusation that Governor Bala failed to support other party candidates. He emphasized that the governor had consistently worked towards party unity and collective success.
Suleiman added, “It is dishonest to suggest otherwise,” noting that the governor remained a pillar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) both in Bauchi State and nationally.
On alleged grievances between Governor Bala Mohammed and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Suleiman dismissed the claims as distractions.
He argued that while leadership naturally involves disagreements, Governor Bala had always prioritized collaboration over personal disputes. “His commitment to unity within the party and across the nation remains unwavering,” he asserted.
The Speaker also highlighted Governor Bala’s achievements, including infrastructure development, healthcare improvements, and investment in education. “Bauchi has seen unprecedented transformation under his watch, and no amount of political mudslinging can erase that fact.”
Suleiman urged politicians to engage in constructive discourse rather than resort to character assassination.
He warned that Dogara’s approach undermined meaningful governance conversations, adding that, “Politics should be about ideas, not personal attacks.”
Suleiman said Mohammed’s legacy as a leader dedicated to Bauchi’s development cannot be rewritten.
“No desperate attempt to rewrite history can overshadow his achievements. His work speaks louder than the words of his detractors,” he stated.
