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OPINION: Critics Of Bauchi Speaker’s Support For Governor Lack Substance

Published

1 year ago

June 9, 2024

By Patrick Ochoga

As a concerned ardent follower of political development of Bauchi State, I am compelled to respond to the unfounded criticisms leveled against the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Suleiman.

The Speaker’s recent Facebook post, expressing his unwavering support and loyalty to the Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad, has been met with baseless accusations from certain individuals, particularly from the opposition party.

The Speaker’s statement, which translates to “the man in this picture is my boss, my leader, and my direction. We will follow whatever you say, knowing fully that you will never lead us to harm, my followers and I, Allah willing,” is a testament to his genuine admiration for the Governor’s leadership and his commitment to the development of Bauchi State.

It is important to note that the Speaker’s words do not compromise his constitutional duties or the independence of the legislative arm of government. The Speaker is entitled to his personal opinion and the right to express it, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Let us look at some achievements of the PDP Administration to date. The PDP administration, under the leadership of Governor Bala Muhammad, has achieved remarkable success in various sectors, including the execution of projects that were neglected by the previous APC government.

One such project is the dualisation of the access road in Ningi, the Speaker’s local government area, from GSS Ningi to Gudduba. This long-awaited project was approved due to the harmonious relationship between the Executive and Legislative branches, demonstrating the positive impact of their collaboration.

In what specific ways has the Speaker failed to discharge his duties?
The Speaker has consistently fulfilled his constitutional duties and has not been found wanting in his responsibilities.
What are the explicit duties of the Speaker and the members of the State Assembly?
The duties of the Speaker and members of the State Assembly include, but are not limited to, making laws for the peace, order, and good government of the state, overseeing the activities of the executive arm, and ensuring the welfare and security of the people.

What is inherently wrong with the Speaker’s words of praise for the Governor?

There is nothing inherently wrong with the Speaker’s words of praise for the Governor. As a citizen, the Speaker has the right to express his opinion and support for the Governor’s leadership.

In conclusion, the Speaker’s loyalty to the Governor does not impede his ability to perform his constitutional duties. Instead, it demonstrates the harmonious relationship between the Executive and Legislative branches, which has led to the successful implementation of projects that benefit the people of Bauchi State.

Patrick Ochoga writes from Abuja

Headline

Court Jails Two For Targeting President With Sorcery

Published

2 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

A Zambian court on Monday sentenced two men to two years in prison with hard labour on charges of attempting to use witchcraft to kill the country’s president.

Mozambican national Jasten Mabulesse Candunde and Zambian village chief Leonard Phiri were arrested in December in possession of charms, including a live chameleon.

Police said they planned to use the charms to harm President Hakainde Hichilema, and they were charged with professing knowledge of witchcraft and possession of charms.

“The motive of the crime was to kill the head of state,” magistrate Fine Mayambu ruled in the capital Lusaka on Monday.

“The convicts were not only enemies of the head of state but all Zambians. I therefore sentence them to 24 months imprisonment with hard labour from the date of their arrest,” he said.

The prosecution said the men had been hired by the brother of opposition MP Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda, who is facing trial for robbery, attempted murder and escaping custody.

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Two Nigerians Face Jail Terms In Liberia’s Piracy Trial

Published

2 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

Criminal Court ‘D’ in Monrovia is set to deliver judgment this week in Liberia’s first piracy trial, involving two Nigerian nationals accused of hijacking a cargo vessel in the Gulf of Guinea.

According to court records, the defendants were arrested earlier this year after a Liberia-flagged ship was seized by armed men while transporting goods through international waters. The crew sent a distress signal, prompting international maritime forces to intervene.

The suspects were subsequently transferred to Liberian authorities under global maritime cooperation protocols.

According to Liberia’s news platform, Front Page Africa, the case has attracted attention because Liberia maintains one of the world’s largest open ship registries, yet prosecutions for piracy within its domestic courts have not previously occurred. Under international law, Liberia holds jurisdiction over crimes involving ships registered under its flag.

On Monday, proceedings took a new turn when defense lawyer, Cllr. Bestman Juah, informed the court that the defendants had admitted responsibility for the hijacking and were requesting a plea-bargain arrangement. State prosecutors did not oppose the request, leaving open the possibility of reduced sentences in exchange for full cooperation.

Resident Judge Mameita Jabateh-Sirleaf, who presides over Criminal Court ‘D’, will rule on whether to accept the plea deal and determine the sentencing framework. The ruling could also address deportation measures following imprisonment.

Criminal Court ‘D’ handles cases involving armed robbery, terrorism, hijacking, and other serious crimes, and the piracy trial represents a growing trend of transnational offenses being prosecuted within Liberia’s judicial system.
As of press time, the court has not announced the date for sentencing.

Headline

Spain Cancels $825m Israel Arms Deal Over Gaza

Published

3 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

The Spanish government has cancelled a contract worth nearly 700 million euros ($825 million) for Israeli-designed rocket launchers.

The move comes after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced last week that his government would “consolidate in law” a ban on military equipment sales or purchases with Israel over its offensive in Gaza.

The contract, awarded to a consortium of Spanish companies, involved the purchase of 12 SILAM rocket launcher systems derived from the PULS platform made by Israeli firm Elbit Systems, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Military Balance.

First reported by local media and the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the cancellation was formalised on Spain’s official public contracts platform on September 9.

The following day, Sanchez unveiled measures aimed at stopping what his leftist government called “the genocide in Gaza”.

It includes the approval of a decree imposing a ban on military equipment sales or purchases with Israel due to its military offensive in Gaza, launched after the Hamas attacks in October 2023.

Spain applied the ban as Israel stepped up its military onslaught.

Spain has also formalized the cancellation of another contract for 168 anti-tank missile launchers, which were to be manufactured under license from an Israeli company.

That contract, valued at 287 million euros, had been first reported by the press in June.

According to Spanish daily La Vanguardia, the government is undertaking a broader review to phase out Israeli weapons and technology from its armed forces.

Sanchez has emerged as one of Europe’s most outspoken critics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Gaza policy.

Relations between the two countries have been tense for months.

Israel has not had an ambassador in Spain since Madrid recognized the state of Palestine in 2024.

Last week, Spain recalled its ambassador to Israel after heated exchanges over Sánchez’s new measures.

The Barcelona-based Delas Centre, a security research institute, estimated in April that since the start of the Gaza war, Spain had awarded 46 contracts worth $1.044 billion to Israeli companies, based on public tender data.