Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed Orders Ambitious Appointees to Resign in 48 Hours
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has issued a directive requiring all political appointees who are aspiring for elective positions to resign their appointments before April 24, 2026. This order is in strict adherence to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, as amended, which governs the participation of public office holders in electoral processes.
Compliance with Statutory Requirements
In a statement released yesterday through his media aide, Mukhtar Gidado, Governor Mohammed emphasized that the directive aligns with statutory requirements and the law. He instructed the affected appointees to hand over all government property to the appropriate officers in their respective ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) as part of the resignation process.
The governor expressed his gratitude to the appointees for their dedicated service and valuable contributions to the development of Bauchi State. He extended his best wishes for success in their future endeavors, acknowledging their commitment to public service.
Recent Resignations and Political Aspirations
This directive follows the resignation of former Commissioner for Water Resources, Nuhu Zaki, who stepped down before March 31 to contest the Bauchi Central Senatorial District. His early resignation set a precedent for compliance with electoral regulations.
In a related development, former Secretary to the Bauchi State Government (SSG) and governorship aspirant on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ibrahim Kashim, has pledged to sustain local government autonomy if elected governor next year. Kashim made this commitment shortly after declaring his intention to contest the gubernatorial seat.
Critique of Local Government Autonomy
Kashim lamented the failure of state governors to implement local government autonomy despite numerous Supreme Court judgments. He noted, "Judgment after judgment has directed that local governments should be autonomous, yet nothing has changed." He recalled that the military truncated local government autonomy, and unfortunately, when civilian rule returned in 1979, the situation was not reversed.
The governorship aspirant vowed not to follow the path of current governors in handling monthly allocations to local governments. He also observed that the powers of local government chairmen have been further weakened by the creation of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), which has centralized certain functions.
This move by Governor Mohammed underscores the importance of adhering to electoral laws and maintaining transparency in the political process. It highlights ongoing debates about local government autonomy and the responsibilities of public officials in Nigeria's democratic framework.
