By Samuel Luka, Bauchi
A Christian faith-based group known as Bauchi state Coalition of Christian Youths and Elders in Politics has assured Governor Bala Mohammed of their readiness to vote for any candidate he presented for Governorship and other elective positions in 2027.
The group which made the call in a text of speech of press conference in Bauchi on Monday, assured of their total support for the Governor who they observed as not only a “Christian friendly Governor but a multi-religious and multi-ethnic” friendly Governor.
Signed by the chairman, Joel Joshua and the secretary, Danladi Audu, the group called on the Governor to answer the numerous calls on him by individuals and groups to contest for the office of the president of Nigeria come 2027.
“We wish to add our voice to the numerous calls by different groups and individuals on the Governor to contest for the office of the president in 2027, our support and prayers is assured, because it is only people like His Excellency, Senator Bala Mohammed that will salvage Nigeria from the myriads of socio economic and security challenges it is facing”, the group said.
“The coalition further said, “we are optimistic that he will expand his expertise in governance at the federal level if given the opportunity to become the president. He has done so much for Bauchi in the area of security of lives and properties of the citizens. Bauchi has become one of the safest state in the Northeast, thereby witnessing the influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) which has overstressed infrastructural facilities in the state but the Governor has been working tirelessly to manage and cater for the needs of the growing population, with everyone having sense of belonging”.
The group said they have been monitoring and tracking the activities of political office holders and seekers alike, regardless of their party affiliation with a view to identifying those that are detribalized and free from religious sentiments to give them support, adding that they have watched with keen interest, the
way Governor Mohammed has been piloting the affairs of Bauchi without discrimination against any segment of the society.
The coalition which observed that the Bauchi Governor has since inception in 2019, exhibited high sense of inclusive governance across both religious and ethnic divides, applauded him for executing policies and programmes that have direct bearings on the lives of the citizens.
“We are not unmindful of the Governor’s many good tidings to the christian Community in Bauchi state. Since inception, the Governor has insured that the massive votes he got from the christian community in 2019 and 2023 is been appreciated in the area of appointments, allocation of Jerusalem pilgrimage seat, provision of food and non-food items during religious festivities, among others,” the group noted.
“Last year alone, the Governor sponsored 176 christians to Israel for Jerusalem pilgrimage, the highest number in the history of sponsorship of Christian Pilgrims in Bauchi. He also gave each of them 100 dollars as pocket money to make them comfortable while in the holy land of Israel”, the group recalled.
They pleaded with Governor Mohammed not to leave governance in 2027 without providing competent replenishment for the people of Bauchi state.
“We are counting on him not to abandon the state in the hands of anonymous people, let him help the state by sourcing for a trusted hand who will take over the governance of Bauchi come 2027. We need someone who share in the governor’s vision to continue from where he will stop”, the group pleaded.
Quoting from the book of Proverbs 29:2 which says “when the righteous are in authority and become great, the people rejoice; But when the wicked rules, the people groan and sigh”, the group said under the administration of Mohammed, the people are rejoicing and not groaning, as such, the citizens would like the situation to continue beyond 2027 after the completion of his eight years reign.
The group insisted that sustainability of good governance, developmental projects and programmes of Senator Bala Mohammed can only be guaranteed if he brings forth the best brain, his replica to take over from him come 2027.
“We are confident that when we get to the bank of the river, His Excellency will definitely bring someone who has the love of Christians in his heart as viable Governorship candidate for the people of Bauchi state to affirm his victory at the polls with their lawful votes”, the Coalition stated.
