By Sule Aliyu, Bauchi
A former Bauchi State governorship aspirant, Captain Bala Jibrin, has strongly warned party leaders in the state against the alleged plan to impose former Governor Barrister Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar as the party’s candidate in the forthcoming primary elections.
Captain Bala Jibrin gave the warning during a press conference held at the NUJ Press Centre in Bauchi.
He specifically called on former Governor Isa Yuguda and the current Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, to protect their integrity and listen to the wishes of the electorate.
He reminded Prof. Pate of the events surrounding the 2019 elections, when internal party disputes allegedly contributed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) losing the state to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Bala Jibrin also raised serious concerns about accountability during Abubakar’s administration between 2015 and 2019, questioning the former governor’s motive for seeking a return to Government House.
According to him, one of the major grievances was the alleged abandonment of 38 foreign-trained medical doctors sponsored by the state government.
“The students included 23 females studying at Ain Shams University and 15 males at Alexandria University in Egypt.
“They were sponsored by the state at a total cost of $3.42 million, which is approximately N5.3 billion at the current exchange rate,” he said.
The former governor allegedly refused to employ these bonded professionals after graduation, leaving Bauchi’s healthcare facilities critically understaffed.
He further cited the case of a married female medical student whose degree certificate was withheld by her Egyptian university over an outstanding $8,000 fee incurred during a two-year study extension due to pregnancy.
“Despite the government having already invested about $90,000 in her education, the Abubakar administration reportedly refused to pay the outstanding balance,” he alleged.
He said the failure to settle the debt prevented the doctor from obtaining her original MBBS certificate, thereby stopping her from registering with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and delaying her career for several years.
According to Captain Jibrin, the issue was later resolved during a private visit to Egypt by the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum.
“After being briefed on the situation by officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Cairo, Governor Zulum personally paid the $8,000 debt the following day, leading to the immediate release of her medical certificate,” he said.
Speaking further on accountability and what he described as “material ambitions,” Captain Bala Jibrin questioned the former governor’s interest in returning to office.
“What is Barrister M.A. Abubakar looking for again in the Bauchi State Government House? Is there anything he left behind in the Government House or the Governor’s office that he wants to retrieve?
“Or perhaps he feels he missed the opportunity to build a palace during the four years of what many described as a disastrous administration between 2015 and 2019?” he asked.
He also criticised what he described as the growing trend of public office holders acquiring massive wealth and luxury properties beyond their legitimate earnings.
“This is too bad. If that is what he is after, then he has missed the opportunity. The era of internal oppression is over. We can no longer be silenced or subjugated,” he stated.
Captain Bala Jibrin warned that the people of Bauchi State would hold party leaders responsible for any political consequences if they insist on fielding the former governor as the party’s candidate.
