The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed speaking about the Rivers State local government election has alleged that the state governors controls the states and that even the Federal government is a tenant at the sub-national level. He argued that state governors are forces to be reckoned with and that they have the ability to spring surprises and take bold steps.
He commended the Rivers State Governor for allowing other parties to win in the local government elections, despite knowing that his own party would lose. He argued that this demonstrates a deep commitment to democracy and a willingness to put the interests of the people above partisan considerations. He also drew parallels with his own experience in 2019, when he governed with only nine PDP members in the assembly, and expressed his admiration for the Rivers State Governor’s ability to navigate complex political landscapes.
He said in a live coverage by Symfoni from 1:30, ‘He [Fubara] has established himself as a governor and the pride of all the governors of Nigeria at the subnational level. You cannot just ignore a governor, he is the Chief Executive Officer and he can do anything, he can spring surprises. The Nigerian states are run by Governors at the subnational level, even the FG is a tenant. Nigerians live in the states and in local governments and that’s why what he did to me is very proactive and creative.
Irrespective of the fact that he knew his party will lose but certainly because of his deep Democratic instincts, he had to allow the other parties to win. And I would just wish that those who have won will find it in their own modesty to give him support because he’s not doing it with any string or asking them to do anything. Let the APP and him have that relationship so that he can govern as a person. I had a similar situation in 2019 where I governed with only nine PDP members in the assembly and that is what the governor is still doing.”