The Speaker of Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abubakar Y. Suleiman, has defended the State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir over his recent critique of the economic policies of the Federal Government that has brought untold hardship upon Nigerians.
The Speaker declared that what the Governor said was the absolute truth which was not politically motivated as being insinuated in some quarters.
In a statement, Abubakar Suleiman aligned himself with the Governor’s observations, emphasizing that the adverse effects of the Federal Government’s policies are evident in the daily lives of the citizens of Bauchi State and beyond.
He noted that the economic difficulties are not confined to any particular region but are being felt nationwide, from the North to the South.
According to him, “The Governor’s critique reflects the reality on the ground.”
The Speaker stressed that, “The people of Bauchi State, like many Nigerians, are grappling with the consequences of these policies. As leaders, it is our duty to voice these concerns and advocate for policies that prioritize the welfare of our citizens.”
Abubakar Suleiman highlighted that the concerns raised by Governor Bala Mohammed are not politically motivated but are rooted in the genuine suffering of the people.
He argued that the current policies have exacerbated existing economic challenges, making life more difficult for ordinary Nigerians.
According to Suleiman, the federal government’s approach needs to be re-evaluated to ensure that the policies in place are not only sustainable but also geared towards alleviating the hardships faced by the majority of the population
“The challenges we face today are a call to action for all leaders, from the presidency to the local government level. We must come together to reassess these policies and find solutions that will work for all Nigerians, not just a select few,” the Speaker asserted.
According to him, “For some of our political class, we need to realize that we are in a position of authority today or at one time or the other at the behest of our people and our various constituencies.”
The Speaker added that, “We must have the courage to speak truth to power because whatever we do today, posterity will certainly judge us rightly or wrongly.”
“The protest we saw was a reflection of the dissatisfaction among the Nigerian people, and it is their inalienable right to express it as witnessed across the country,” he added.
He stressed that, “If the government is addressing the complains of the people, there won’t be protest as witnessed, Governor Bala Mohammed should be commended for his courage to speak truth to power.”
Abubakar Suleiman also urged other leaders across the country to join in advocating for a review of the current economic policies, stressing that the well-being of the citizens should be the primary focus of any government.
He however expressed hope that with collective effort and genuine concern for the people, better and more effective policies can be implemented to address the pressing issues of poverty, hunger, and economic instability.
The Speaker’s strong alignment with Governor Bala Mohammed’s stance underscores the growing concern within Bauchi State’s leadership about the trajectory of the nation’s economic policies under the current administration.
As voices within the state government continue to call for change, the pressure on the federal government to reconsider its approach is likely to intensify.
Recall during the flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) local government elections campaign last Thursday, Bala Mohammed expressed grave concerns about the direction of the national economy, accusing the Federal Government of enacting policies that have led to increased poverty, hunger, and economic hardship across the country.