The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, has thrown his full support behind Governor Bala Mohammed’s recent critique of the Federal Government’s economic policies under President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that during the flag-off of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) campaign for local government elections in the State last week, Governor 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.
In a statement, Speaker Suleiman aligned himself with the Bauchi State governor’s observations, emphasising that the adverse effects of the Federal Government’s policies were evident in the daily lives of the citizens of the State and beyond.
He noted that the current economic difficulties were not confined to any particular region of the country but were being felt nationwide, from the North to the South.
“The governor’s critique reflects the reality on the ground,” Suleiman stated. “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 prioritise the welfare of our citizens.”
Speaker Suleiman highlighted that the concerns raised by Governor Mohammed were not politically motivated but were rooted in the genuine suffering of the people. He argued that the current policies of the Tinubu-led government have exacerbated existing economic challenges, making life more difficult for ordinary Nigerians.
According to Rt. Hon. Suleiman, the Federal Government’s approach needed to be re-evaluated to ensure that the policies in place were 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.
“For some of our political class we need to realize that we are in position of authority today or at one time or the other at the behest of our people and our various constituencies. We must have the courage to speak truth to power because whatever we do today posterity will certainly judge us righty 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. If the government is addressing the complains of the people, they won’t be protest as witnessed, Governor Bala Mohammed should be commended for for his courage to speak truth to power.”
Suleiman also urged other leaders across the country to joined forces 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 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 Mohammed’s stance underscores the growing concern within Bauchi State about the trajectory of the nation’s economic policies under the current administration at the centre. 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 in the coming days.
