Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed Attributes Insecurity to Poor Leadership and Poverty

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State paid a visit to his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, at his private residence in Ibadan. The visit was to commiserate with the people and government of Oyo State over the abduction of teachers and pupils in Yawota and Esienle communities in Oriire Local Government Area. Mohammed was accompanied by some leaders of the Allied People’s Movement, including the National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, and the party’s governorship candidate in Bauchi State, Yakubu Adamu. In a statement released by the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Mohammed called for a review of the nation’s security architecture to ensure the safety of citizens. Recall that on May 15, terrorists stormed the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L A Primary School, Esiele, killing a teacher and abducting over 45 pupils and teachers. While commending the steps taken by Makinde to secure the safe return of the abductees, Mohammed expressed optimism that the kidnapped teachers and pupils would soon regain their freedom. Speaking with journalists after meeting with his host, Mohammed said, 'I am here with our leaders from the Allied People’s Movement 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 as a result of the abduction of our schoolchildren and their teachers.' Mohammed also expressed his readiness to assist the Oyo State Government in any way possible to secure the early release of the abductees and congratulated Makinde on his emergence as the APM’s presidential candidate. The Bauchi governor attributed the insecurity in the country to poor governance, poverty, and the challenges of daily life. He emphasized the need for citizens to take responsibility and ensure they do not become informants or collaborate with criminal elements. He also stressed the importance of electing good leaders, saying 'Leadership is another factor, and citizens must bring about change.' 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, among others, joined Makinde in receiving Mohammed and his entourage.