National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
… also for abuse of office
Olabode Adaramola
Civil Society Organization, opposition political parties, clerics and citizens have condemned the attitude of the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago for taking advantage of the poverty and economic hardship to dehumanize the electorates through abuse of throwing public money to be scrambled for by the people.
This according to the Nigeria’s Constitution such act of displaying or mutilation of the naira is contrary to the provision of the CBN Act of 2007, and contravene the financial regulations of Nigerian constitution in totality.
The North Central Zonal Chairman, Campaign for Democracy, Human Rights Advocacy Civil Society of Nigeria, Dr. Mohammed Abdullahi Jabi in an interview, said that the Governor is ignorant of the consequences of his actions despite his immunity he currently enjoyed while describing as most unfortunate such act
Jabi stated that the Governor is show casing them or breeding potential beggars who are being dehumanized by bringing them to public shame and making mockery of the bad situation of the masses.
He stressed that there is need for him to show maturity like his other colleagues in order to learn the rudiments of governance and decorum while urging the governor to desist from what he described as the current over zealousness that is negatively affecting his image and that of the state
In another development, the Niger North Zonal chairman of PDP, Yahaya Ability condemned governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s action of throwing money in the public, noting that his Special Advisers on Security and that of Political Affairs are not performing their required responsibility.
Ability condemned the governor’s unrepentant action of degrading the masses because he has access to the public fund at the detriment of the citizens, he therefore advised him to change the narrative to enhance good image of his position and the entire state.
He stated that this is not the only way to make himself popular as a sitting governor of Niger state but should treat people with dignity, accord them respect and have a listening ears as nobody is above the law.
He advised the Governor to desist from exhibiting what will undermine the right of the citizenry by empowering the people in the state the right way.
Similarly, a former Commissioner of Information and Strategy who is the Tambarin Kagara, Alhaji Umar Danladi Abdulhamid berated Governor Umaru Bago, emphasizing that the Governor has by that singular act, violated the country’s constitution.
Abdulhamid, thereby advocated for better ways of sharing public funds in a more matured and organized ways however commended good gesture of any kind to the citizens especially the poorest of the poor who are disadvantaged,.
Speaking at the backdrops of the Video clips on social media showing the Governor throwing money at Kagara people, Headquarters of Rafi LGA of the State where many were said to have sufferers varying degrees of injuries in the process, when the Governor went for Sallah homage, he urged the people to desist from endangering their lives because of stipends being sprayed around.
It was reliably gathered that no fewer than four people had fracture injuries while scores of other sustained varying degrees of injuries following the scramble when the Governor threw cash on them through the he roof- top of his Official vehicle, while driving round the the town.
National Wires gathered that that, the practice has been his attitude since he was sworn in on May 29, 2023 in which Kagara episode is one among many which has also been kicked against by many Islamic clerics during their Friday sermons and preaching in the state.
Many are worried that while juicy contracts are allegedly commandeered by the Governor’s cronies outside the state pea nuts are thrown on poverty ridden Nigerlites causing nuisance and havoc on the streets and highways while on transit.
They however advised Governor Umaru Bago to find a more decent, matured and legal ways of empowering the people through their unions and associations to ensure self- reliant and sustainable that will accord them respect, honour, integrity and be appreciated as they offer their services effectively and efficiently.
Meanwhile,when the National Wires contacted the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mallam Bologi Ibrahim for his reaction on the matter he assured of calling back but his response was not forthcoming as of the time of filling this report.
