Bala Mohammed Blames Insecurity On Poor Governance In Oyo Visit
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has directly linked Nigeria's persistent insecurity to poor governance and poverty, urging citizens to take their destinies into their own hands. Mohammed made this bold declaration during a solidarity visit to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
Why Bala Mohammed Visited Oyo State
On Sunday, Governor Mohammed stormed Ibadan to stand with his ally, Governor Makinde. He wasn't just there to sympathize; he came to show that African leaders must support each other when the people hurt. Recall that on May 15, terrorists attacked the Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School, and LA Primary School in Esiele. The attackers killed one teacher and abducted over 45 pupils and teachers. Mohammed praised Makinde's efforts to secure their safe return, expressing strong optimism that the abductees would soon regain their freedom.
Accompanied by Allied People's Movement (APM) leaders, including National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle and the party's Bauchi governorship candidate Yakubu Adamu, Mohammed made his position clear.
'I am here to commiserate with our presidential candidate and the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, over the ordeal that the people and government of Oyo are going through. We are here to encourage him that what he is doing to ensure their release is being noticed by the whole nation.'
Poor Governance Is The Root Of Insecurity
When addressing the press, the Bauchi governor kept it real. He called for a complete overhaul of the nation's security architecture to build better synergy between security agencies and the people. But he didn't stop at security reforms. He pointed directly at the root cause of the crisis.
'The security situation is a manifestation of poor governance, poverty and the challenges of daily life. Beyond that, I think the citizenry should sit up and ensure they take their destinies into their own hands.'
He stressed that citizens must step up, stop collaborating with criminal elements, and take responsibility for their communities. Most importantly, he pushed for a political awakening. He noted that leadership failure exists at every level, whether sub-national, national, or local government, and the people must force the change.
'During the next election cycle, people should take their destinies into their own hands.'
A New Dawn For Leadership: Makinde's Presidential Bid
Beyond the security talks, the visit spotlighted a massive political shift. Mohammed congratulated Makinde on his emergence as the APM presidential candidate. He hyped Makinde's capacity to change Nigeria's leadership trajectory, calling him a young man with the energy, determination, and drive to make it happen.
'He is my jolly good friend, a young man with energy, determination and drive, who can do a lot to change the trajectory of leadership and good governance in Nigeria.'
On the ground to receive the Bauchi entourage were the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; the Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola; and the Senior Executive Assistant on General Duties, Bayo Lawal.
What caused the insecurity in Nigeria according to Bala Mohammed?
Governor Bala Mohammed identified poor governance, poverty, and the daily struggles of citizens as the root causes of the nation's security crisis. He emphasized that the current security architecture needs a critical review to improve synergy among security agencies and citizens.
Who was abducted in Oyo State?
On May 15, terrorists attacked schools in the Yawota and Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area. The attackers killed one teacher and abducted over 45 pupils and teachers from the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Community Grammar School, and LA Primary School.
What did Bala Mohammed say about Seyi Makinde's presidential bid?
Bala Mohammed congratulated Seyi Makinde on emerging as the Allied People's Movement (APM) presidential candidate. He described Makinde as a young man with the energy and drive needed to change the trajectory of leadership and good governance in Nigeria.