Bauchi Gov Bala Mohammed Praises Tinubu: “We Don’t Just Criticize, We Are Proud Of His Reforms”

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has said subnational governments are proud of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing them as impactful on grassroots development.

Mohammed stated this on Monday when he received the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, who paid him a courtesy visit in Bauchi.

The governor said the Federal Government’s reforms had resulted in increased resources for states and created opportunities for improved infrastructure and service delivery.

He said, “We are always proud of this kind of partnership. We, as subnational governments, are always looking forward to the Federal Government bringing good things to us. We don’t always oppose and criticise for the sake of criticising. When we see good things, we say it. The President has done so well in so many aspects, especially in the area of finance, because the states are getting more.”

Mohammed also commended the Federal Government for its interventions in the health sector, particularly the establishment of diagnostic facilities and other health infrastructure across the country.

He said the collaboration between the Federal Government and the states would improve access to quality healthcare services for Nigerians.

“We are very grateful for what you have brought to us. Definitely, more Nigerians will have access to improved healthcare and a better standard of living,” he added.

The governor also expressed appreciation to Tinubu for his interventions in the security sector, particularly the establishment of military battalions in Bauchi State.

He said the Federal Government’s response to insecurity had helped restore peace and enable displaced residents to return to their communities.

Mohammed said, “I want to really affirm our gratitude to Mr President, especially in the area of security. He has just established two battalions, one in Alkaleri and another one in Tafawa Balewa. The people of Bauchi are very proud of him. When we were almost overrun by bandits, nobody was coming to our aid. I went to him, and he responded. He sent a high-powered military contingent under the National Security Adviser, the military services and all security organisations. They really removed all those who were trying to destroy our peace.”

The governor assured the visiting ministers of the state government’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with the Federal Government.

He said, “We are ready to collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure that at least we improve the quality of life of our people.”

Earlier, Prof. Pate said the delegation was in Bauchi to inaugurate newly completed health infrastructure established under the Federal Government’s health sector expansion programme.

He explained that the projects included a world-class radiodiagnostic centre at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital and similar facilities across the country.

Pate said the Federal Government had established 10 such facilities as part of efforts to expand access to modern diagnostic services and strengthen healthcare infrastructure.

He said, “The reason for our visit is to commission major health infrastructure projects that we started about two years ago. Three years ago, we laid the foundation for the first one here. The world-class radiodiagnostic centre has now been completed. This makes it the largest expansion of health infrastructure and equipment in Nigeria.”

On his part, Oyedele described the health infrastructure as one of the dividends of Tinubu’s economic reforms.

He said the reforms were aimed at stabilising the macro-economy, restoring investor confidence and strengthening institutions.

He said, “That project is a small picture of a larger point. The reforms we are pursuing nationally — stabilising the macro-economy, restoring investor confidence and strengthening our institutions — are not ends in themselves. They exist to make projects like the one we are commissioning today possible.”