Bala Mohammed: A rope across the Niger?

According to the President of NDYLAC, who is also the African Representative, World Assembly of Youths, Ambassador Marvin Yobana, Senator Bala Mohammed was selected for the award because he is one of the outstanding supporters of the Transformation Agenda of this administration with an underlining belief in its total success. It is a truism that […]

According to the President of NDYLAC, who is also the African Representative, World Assembly of Youths, Ambassador Marvin Yobana, Senator Bala Mohammed was selected for the award because he is one of the outstanding supporters of the Transformation Agenda of this administration with an underlining belief in its total success.

It is a truism that the incumbent FCT Minister remains a stabilizing factor for the Jonathan administration from the Northern part of the country and that role is making him increasing more popular among the new generation of Nigerians pushing for issue based politics. Inversely, some vested interests appear displeased with the detribalized and pan-Nigerian position of the Minister. Nonetheless, he remains undaunted in his kind of patriotic politics by working for greater unity of all Nigerians irrespective of social, economic and political divergences.

For instance, during one of the difficult times in Nigeria’s political evolution between 2009 and 2010, Bala Mohammed rallied fellow nationalists in the Senate and devised the ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ that saved the nation from sinking. That move made him a target of attacks by some renegades and cabal members whose vested interest he had trampled upon thereby. The throw back of that action almost resulted in his induced recall from the Senate.

Example, during the post-2011 presidential election violence that swept through parts of the North, his political office building in Bauchi was vandalized and set ablaze by rioters. That was just a tip of the iceberg of the price he had to pay on account of his detribalized and de-sectionalized political disposition.

The honour just bestowed on the FCT Minister is not only unique as a reward for loyalty, it is also good for the health of the country because it typifies an auspicious handshake across the Niger.

Bashir Fadil Abdulhamid, Yimi, Zuba, FCT.